Department for Transport

Southeastern Trains: Overcrowding

Abena Oppong-Asare: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the level of overcrowding on train station platforms for Southeastern services.

Huw Merriman: Network Rail and all train operators, including Southeastern, have plans in place to ensure that if any of their stations get crowded, they remain safe. Southeastern are constantly assessing demand and passenger flows and work alongside Network Rail and other train operators, to review and develop their plans, always with safety as a top priority. Following the crowding incident at London Bridge on 25 January Network Rail and Southeastern conducted a full investigation and several immediate actions have already been taken to reinforce the safety of customers both at platform and concourse level.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency: Finance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will provide details of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's liabilities valued at or over (a) £500k and (b) £1 million as of 1 March 2023.

Mr Richard Holden: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency publishes its liability valuation figures as of 31 March in its Annual Report & Accounts. The latest Annual Report & Accounts can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1091926/dvsa-annual-report-and-accounts-2021-to-2022.pdf The 2022/23 Annual Report & Accounts will be published later this year and will be accessible on GOV.UK.

Blue Badge Scheme: Terminal Illnesses

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to ensure indefinite disabled person’s parking badge entitlements are awarded to people with progressive conditions, including Parkinson’s disease.

Mr Richard Holden: Applications to the Blue Badge scheme are based on the need of the applicant to park closer to their destination rather than on the condition itself. The legislation allows for badges to be issued with a three-year validity period, giving local authorities the opportunity to reassess badge-holders to ensure that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria and will still benefit from a badge. Day to day administration is the responsibility of individual local authorities who must determine and implement assessment procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation.

Bexleyheath Line: Timetables

Abena Oppong-Asare: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Southeastern Railway’s timetable changes of December 2022, whether the recent announcement of additional services on the Bexleyheath line will be extended to cover the Woolwich line.

Huw Merriman: There are currently no plans to introduce additional services on the Woolwich line.

Bexleyheath Line: Timetables

Abena Oppong-Asare: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Southeastern Railway’s timetable changes of December 2022, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of adding additional off-peak services to the Bexleyheath line but not additional peak services.

Huw Merriman: As announced last week, following a review of the new timetable, Southeastern will reinstate direct off-peak services to Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line, Monday to Saturday from May 2023. Passengers using the Bexleyheath line in the peaks already benefit from direct services to Charing Cross as well as to Cannon Street and London Victoria.

Road Traffic Control

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether system redundancy to ensure continued operation in the event of a system failure was included in the original design specification for the National Highways’ CHARM system.

Mr Richard Holden: Yes, the system has been designed to provide full system redundancy and disaster recovery arrangements in the event of a system failure.

Roads

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will publish the travel time measures for the Strategic Road Network and local A roads: January to December 2022.

Mr Richard Holden: The travel time measures for the Strategic Road Network and Local ‘A’ roads: January to December 2022 publication is released Thursday 9th March 2023 at 9.30 am as per the forthcoming release schedule.

Bicycles and Electric Vehicles: Safety

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2023 to Question 150416 on regulation of e-scooters, what his Department's timeframe is for (a) the consultation process and (b) agreeing potential consequential regulatory measures.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2023 to Question 150416 on Bicycles and Electric Vehicles: Safety, what his planned timetable is for introducing a rental framework for local transport authorities to manage rental services of cycles and e-cycles.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2023 to Question 150416 on Bicycles and Electric Vehicles: Safety, whether the proposed rental framework to allow local transport authorities to manage rental services of cycles and e-cycles will include measures to help prevent users from leaving e-cycles on (a) pathways and (b) roads; and if he will publish details of the proposals.

Jesse Norman: Government plans to introduce legislation for private and rental e-scooter use when parliamentary time allows and will consult on regulations in due course. No final decisions about e-scooter regulations have been or will be made before interested parties have had an opportunity to offer views. The Department also intends to introduce a rental framework which will allow local transport authorities to manage rental services of cycles, e-cycles and e-scooters, so that matters such as fleet sizes and parking can be kept under local control. Local authorities already have legal powers to remove e-cycles and other items that are abandoned on the road or pathway. The Department will continue to work with local authorities and keep under review ways to prevent e-cycles and e-scooters from becoming obstructive to other road users and pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities.

Aviation: EU Law

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to bring forward legislation to retain Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 in UK law before the 2023 sunset contained in the Retained EU Law Bill.

Jesse Norman: The Department is currently in the process of reviewing its stock of Retained EU Law, including Regulation (EC) No.261/2004. The Department will set out its approach to each piece of Retained EU Law in due course.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the reasons for trends in the waiting times for the installation of electric vehicle charging points.

Jesse Norman: Public charging devices have more than tripled in four years from 10,300 devices in January 2019 to over 38,700, including more than 7,400 rapid devices, in March 2023. Over 600 chargepoints are being added to the UK’s public charging network each month. In some cases, securing the relevant permission, consent, and licence to install a public chargepoint can lead to additional costs and delays. The Government is committed to ensuring that planning and consenting processes are as efficient and smooth as possible. The Government continues to work with the transport and energy sectors as well as local authorities to ensure charging infrastructure is being rolled out at pace to meet the needs of drivers across the UK.

P&O Ferries: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2022 to Question 92231 on P&O Ferries: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, whether his Department has had discussions with representatives of P&O Ferries on the return of furlough funding since 28 November 2022.

Mr Richard Holden: As per the response of 4 July 2022, reiterated on 28 November 2022, the government has repeatedly called for P&O Ferries to repay its furlough funding.

Low Emission Zones: Greater London

Ed Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data sharing agreements his Department has in place with the (a) Mayor of London and (b) DVLA to facilitate enforcement of the ULEZ.

Mr Richard Holden: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) and it is their responsibility to manage and oversee the transport network. This includes decisions with regards to road schemes which charge users. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, has a data sharing agreement in place with Transport for London to provide information about UK registered vehicles. These arrangements are in keeping with the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002. The release of DVLA information for this purpose is governed by Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002.

Low Emission Zones: Greater London

Ed Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of registered private cars would (a) meet and (b) not meet the London Ultra Low Emission Zone standard by fuel type in each local authority area.

Mr Richard Holden: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL, and it is their responsibility to manage and oversee the transport network. This includes decisions with regards to road schemes which charge users. It was for the Mayor to assess the impact of the expansion of the ULEZ on those with private cars. DfT does not hold this information centrally.

Ministry of Defence

Disinformation

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Government's counter-disinformation strategy.

Mr Ben Wallace: I regularly discuss the Government’s counter-disinformation strategy with Ministerial colleagues as part of routine cross-Government meetings.

Veterans: Radiation Exposure

Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2023 to Question 148519 on Nuclear Test Veterans, whether the results of blood tests on personnel who witnessed nuclear test events (a) are held at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (b) will be made available on request to the (i) veterans and (ii) surviving members of the families of deceased veterans; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) do not hold the blood test results for Nuclear Test Veterans. AWE holds a small number of references to blood and urine tests which were included in scientific documentation related to nuclear weapons trials. Veterans or members of their family are entitled to request information that may be held by AWE through Subject Access Requests, which will be handled in a routine manner.

Armed Forces: Joint Exercises

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK personnel took part in Joint Expeditionary Force exercises in each year since 2014.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Joint Expeditionary Force exercises took place in each year since 2014.

James Heappey: The information requested can be found in the table below: Year Number of ExercisesApproximate Number of UK Personnel on the Exercises20140020150020162c1,25020171c1,50020183c10,50020193c1,50020203c2,60020212c50020224c1,350Total 18c19,200 Notes to table: The number of UK personnel on exercises are approximations.Figures for years 2014 and 2015 are 0 because the JEF was announced in 2014 and the Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2015. JEF exercises then began in 2016.

Military Aircraft: Training

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the time taken by the UK military flying training system on the delivery of fast jet pilots.

James Heappey: The UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS) continues to deliver sufficient appropriately trained aircrew to meet Defence’s operational requirements. While it is recognised that there have previously been delays within UK MFTS pipelines, a range of measures have been put in place to address known issues. Furthermore, holding periods for Fast Jet trainee pilots are reducing and are forecast to continue to improve to an optimal period of time.

Parachute Regiment: Recruitment

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase the Army's number of combat-ready qualified parachutists.

James Heappey: Defence regularly reviews the requirement for its airdrop capability and will continue to do so following the publication of the Integrated Review Refresh.A number of steps are already being taken to increase the number of combat-ready qualified parachutists including using Army Parachute Jump Instructors to support the RAF's training delivery, the rollout of A400M Low-Level Parachute Capability, a short-term commercial contract solution for a military parachute training aircraft, and the procurement of a new military parachute system.

Ukraine: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armoured vehicles his Department has committed to donating to Ukraine since February 2022.

James Heappey: In 2022 we donated more than 200 armoured vehicles to Ukraine. In January 2023, the Defence Secretary announced an accelerated package of support which included hundreds more armoured and protected vehicles including Bulldog and CVR(T).

Ukraine: Military Aid

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time staff in his Department work on the International Fund for Ukraine.

James Heappey: The Department's work on the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) involves a wide range of military staff and civil servants, primarily in Head Office, Defence Equipment & Support and overseas. The number of staff supporting the IFU will also vary in response to the focus of activity at any given time. For these reasons, it is not possible to readily identify how many full-time equivalents in the Department are working on the IFU.

Ukraine: Military Aid

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) original and (b) current timetable is for awarding bidders with funding from the International Fund for Ukraine.

James Heappey: Under the first round of procurement funded by the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), the aim was to inform suppliers as to whether or not their proposals were being taken forward from 14 December 2022. In the event, the Department received significantly more proposals from suppliers than anticipated, so the assessment process took longer than planned. The Defence Secretary announced the first IFU-funded capability package, with an expected value of around £200 million, on 15 February 2023 and the Department formally notified suppliers of the outcome of the first round on 20 February 2023. The Department is now negotiating and agreeing contracts with the successful suppliers.

Ukraine: Challenger Tanks

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Challenger 2 tanks his Department plans to donate to Ukraine.

James Heappey: As announced by the Defence Secretary on 16 January, we are providing 14 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine.

Ukraine: Military Aid

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps with allies to build a factory in Poland to supply military aid to Ukraine.

James Heappey: UK partnership with Poland is integral to our support to Ukraine. The Polish government is exceptionally generous with the provision of infrastructure and basing to support the movement of equipment to Ukraine, the training of personnel and the testing of equipment. Polish firms already support a variety of UK contracts for support to Ukraine and we will make additional investments wherever they can expedite our support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukraine: Challenger Tanks

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is providing logistical and maintenance assistance to Ukraine to support the donation of 14 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks.

James Heappey: Equipment support and sustainment are integral parts of the accelerated package of support announced by the Defence Secretary on 16 January 2023.As well as training the Armed Forces of Ukraine to maintain the tanks, our donation of Challenger 2 includes a crucial equipment support package to enable the Ukrainians to maintain and repair the tanks. This includes two Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicles (CRARRVs), designed to repair and recover damaged tanks on the battlefield.

Ukraine: Military Aid

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total value of the International Fund for Ukraine is as of 6 March 2023; and how much has been paid out of that Fund since its establishment.

James Heappey: There is currently £523 million in the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). No funding has yet been disbursed from the IFU, as the Department is currently negotiating and agreeing contracts with successful suppliers for the first IFU-funded capability package. This capability package has an expected value of around £200 million.

Ukraine: Military Aid

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many individual bids have been (a) made for funding from the International Fund for Ukraine and (b) received funding from the International Fund for Ukraine.

James Heappey: In the first round of procurement funded by the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), 1,567 individual proposals were received from suppliers, across 11 capability areas. Following an assessment of all of these proposals, 10 have been selected to be taken forward as part of the first IFU-funded capability package. The Department is now negotiating and agreeing contracts with the successful suppliers, so no funding has yet been disbursed from the IFU.

Ukraine: Military Aid

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many countries have allocated money for the International Fund for Ukraine.

James Heappey: To date, the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania have provided a combined total of £523 million to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). The UK and IFU partners are actively seeking further donations to increase the size of the Fund.

Service Complaints Ombudsman

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of cases referred to the Service Complaints Ombudsman did not have an investigator assigned to them for more than (a) one, (b) two and (c) three months in each year since 2016.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) does not collect or produce statistics on the time taken between receipt of a completed application and allocation to an investigator. However, SCOAF does produce statistics on the time taken between first contact and allocation to an investigator, and the relevant statistics on this metric are provided below.  Year investigation application receivedNumber of SCOAF investigations where the time taken from first contact to the allocation of an investigator was:1 or more months2 or more months3 or more months201621*[c][c]201748*29*22*2018112100962019534846202044393920216159472022746437  Year investigation application receivedProportion of SCOAF investigations where the time taken from first contact to the allocation of an investigator was:1 or more months2 or more months3 or more months20166%*[c][c]201712%*7%*5%*201832%28%27%201916%15%14%202015%14%14%202118%17%14%202221%18%10%[c] Confidential - These numbers have been suppressed as the number of SCOAF investigations in 2016 that took two or more months to allocate to an investigator from first contact, was four or fewer.* To the best of SCOAF’s knowledge, no completed application took more than 10 days to be allocated to an investigator. Source: SCOAF casework  Prior to February 2018, cases were allocated to an investigator within 10 working days of receipt of a completed application. This occurred even when they did not have the capacity to actively progress the complaints they were allocated. In order to be more transparent and better manage complainant expectation, this practice was stopped. This resulted in investigators having more manageable caseloads in which they actively worked on all cases assigned to them. However, it also created an allocation backlog for all eligible applications for substance and maladministration investigations.In 2019, a new process was introduced where all eligible applications for substance and maladministration investigations are triaged. The purpose of the triage is to conduct an early assessment of the application to determine whether the matter warrants further investigation by SCOAF.Cases in the backlog are matters of substance and maladministration. There are no delays in processing applications for referral, admissibility reviews or undue delay. Addressing the backlog has been identified as a key focus for SCOAF; they have successfully recruited into a number of vacancies and are now fully staffed on the operational side of the organisation. It is expected that these new staff will assist in SCOAF’s ability to further reduce the backlog.

Robertson Barracks

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) size in hectares and (b) Housing Unit Potential is of Robertson Barracks.

Alex Chalk: This information is publicly available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1087580/House_of_Commons_Report_-_June_2022.ods

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much money has the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme paid out in each year since 2005.

Dr Andrew Murrison: This information is already in the public domain available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/armed-forces-compensation-scheme-statistics-financial-year-202122 The attached table has been copied from Table 19: Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Expenditure, by financial year, 6 April 2005 to 31 March 2022. Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Expenditure (xlsx, 28.5KB)

Armed Forces: Employment

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of armed forces personnel took on (a) second jobs and (b) other additional work in the last two years.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The requested information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Navy: Submarines

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much alcohol is permitted to be drunk by sailors on Royal Navy submarines whilst on operations.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The consumption of alcohol on Royal Navy submarines is governed by Submarine General Orders. Personnel on duty may not consume alcohol while on board Royal Navy submarines and off-duty consumption is tightly regulated to ensure that individuals are fit for duty if required at short notice. Commanding Officers may further restrict alcohol consumption should operational circumstances necessitate it.

Trident Submarines

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what proportion of time the UK's Vanguard-class submarines have been (a) at sea and (b) in refit in the last five years.

Alex Chalk: The Royal Navy has provided the Continuous At Sea Deterrent for an unbroken 54 years with Operation RELENTLESS. However, we do not disclose these details for operational security reasons as to do so could or would prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.

F-35 Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2023 to Question 156081 on F-35 aircraft, what the outcome is of the assessment of harmonic resonance in F135 power plant units undertaken by the Joint Program Office and UK authorities.

Alex Chalk: The matter remains under investigation but the probable outcome of the assessment of harmonic resonance is a modification to an engine component.This modification would be incorporated into all F135 engines across the global F-35 Lighting fleet.

Department of Health and Social Care

Dental Services

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to help support integrated care boards determine how many people are unable to access an NHS dentist; and if he will make an assessment of how many people are unable to afford private treatment by integrated care board areas in England.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Influenza: Vaccination

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the paper by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation, entitled Advice on influenza vaccines for 2023-24, published on 30 November 2022, whether it is his policy to take steps in line with the advice of the Joint Committee that flu vaccinations for secondary school children should be routine.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department of Health and Social Care: Hikvision

Sir Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Hikvision products are in use in his Department; and whether he plans to remove the Hikvision cameras.

Will Quince: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Birth Rate

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment with his Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the decline in the birth rate on the (a) delivery of and (b) demand for public services over the next 30 years.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Heart Diseases: Easington

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of EGC heart monitors available to patients in the North Easington Primary Care Network as of 1 March 2023.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time was to receive an EGC heart monitor assessment for patients in the North Easington Primary Care Network as of 1 March 2023.

Helen Whately: The information requested is not held centrally.

Autism: South of England

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many places in residential care settings dedicated for profoundly autistic adults there are in (a) West Sussex, (b) Hampshire and (c) Surrey.

Helen Whately: The information requested is not available. The Department does not collect data on care settings places for autism only. The following table shows data on total capacity in care homes that are able to serve users with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. Local authorityHampshireSurreyWest SussexNumber of beds in care homes that can serve users with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder1,6592,3381,585All Care Home Beds in local authority14,12713,5679,950Source: The CQC Care Directory data as of 1 March 2023.

Skin Diseases: Health Services

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance by NHS England entitled Referral optimisation for people with skin conditions, published on 27 September 2022, what steps his Department is taking to help support the adoption of referral optimisation.

Helen Whately: The Department is supporting the National Health Service to improve outpatient services, including referral optimisation.NHS England’s Outpatient Recovery and Transformation Programme runs a series of Action on Outpatients webinars to raise awareness of outpatient improvement initiatives. In December 2022, the series focused on outpatient referral optimisation, drawing on principles from NHS England guidance on referral optimisation for people with skin conditions, published September 2022.

Dementia: Screening

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had discussion with NHS England on reframing the dementia risk reduction messaging within the NHS Health Check to promoting good brain health.

Helen Whately: In 2017, national guidance on the NHS Health Check was updated to include new advice that, during a check, practitioners should make attendees aware that what is good for the heart is good for the brain. The Department also developed online NHS Health Check training resources, created in conjunction with Health Education England, to support practitioners delivering a check to have a conversation on dementia risk, and inform people about the signs and symptoms of dementia.

Alzheimer's Disease: Diagnosis

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines entitled Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers, published on 20 June 2018, whether his Department is taking steps to increase patient access to (a) fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and (b) cerebrospinal fluid tests for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Helen Whately: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines provide evidence based recommendations for health and care, including on assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers. NICE guideline NG97 states that clinicians should consider a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan and cerebrospinal fluid tests when the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is uncertain.Integrated commissioning boards are expected to commission appropriate resources, including such testing, in line with the local population health needs.

Dementia: Diagnosis

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to (a) increase availability of equipment to diagnose dementia and (b) prepare the NHS for new treatments in the context of the US's approval of Lecanemab.

Helen Whately: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for health and care, including on assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers. NICE guideline NG97 states that clinicians should consider a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan and cerebrospinal fluid tests when the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is uncertain. Integrated commissioning boards are expected to commission appropriate resources, including such testing, in line with the local population health needs.NHS England is currently exploring what pathways, processes and equipment might best support future disease modifying treatments, including for Alzheimer’s disease.

Cancer Drugs Fund

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NICE's update to its assessment criteria, replacing the end-of-life modifier and introducing a severity modifier, what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients who were eligible to receive treatments assessed under the end-of-life modifier when establishing their managed access arrangements in the Cancer Drugs Fund.

Helen Whately: Patient numbers expected to access a medicine are estimated at the start of each managed access agreement and NHS England collect the exact number of patients who access each medicine in clinical practice.As of February 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has made 52 Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) recommendations. 24 of these have had guidance updated following a period of managed access, of which 92% were recommended for routine funding. Of the medicines that are currently in a period of managed access within the CDF 43% included the end-of-life modifier. Approximately 2,900 patients have currently accessed treatment for these indications.

Parkinson's Disease: Greater Manchester

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time was for patients with Parkinson's disease to see a neurologist in (a) Stockport and (b) Greater Manchester in the latest period for which data is available.

Helen Whately: This information is not collected in the format requested. Data on waiting times is not collected at town or county level.

Social Workers: Students

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of bursaries for social work students on access to those courses.

Helen Whately: The Department has no plans to assess the adequacy of social work bursaries for the forthcoming academic year.

Social Workers: Students

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to help improve (a) the equality of distribution of and (b) access to bursaries for student social workers.

Helen Whately: The Department has no plans to assess distribution of and access to social work bursaries for the forthcoming academic year.

Raynaud's Disease: Heating

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to help people with Raynard's disease with additional heating costs associated with their condition.

Neil O'Brien: The Government recognises that rising energy prices can make it more difficult for people to heat their homes, and that cold homes can have an adverse impact on the health of vulnerable population groups.The Government’s cost of living support package includes specific measures aimed at the most vulnerable. This cost-of-living support is worth £26 billion in 2023/24, in addition to benefits uprating, which is worth £11 billion to working age households and disabled people.The Government is also helping all households with their energy bills through the Energy Price Guarantee. Over this winter the Government has paid around half of a typical household’s energy bill, cutting the average bill by £1,300 this winter.

Dental Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to allow dentists carrying out NHS work to trade units of dental activity more flexibly after March 2023.

Neil O'Brien: On 29 March 2021, NHS England published a flexible commissioning toolkit for regional commissioners. Flexible commissioning is an element of existing National Health Service dental contracts that enables Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) to be better targeted towards priority and high needs groups of patients. Although we have no current plans for a review of flexible commissioning, NHS England is continuing to monitor the use of the arrangements to meet local needs.In September 2022, we announced ‘Our plan for patients’ which sets out how we will meet oral health needs and increase access to NHS dental care whilst making the NHS dental contract more attractive to dental practices. These changes have been implemented, including through regulations that came into effect on 25 November 2022. This includes enabling commissioning of up to 110% of contracted UDAs to increase NHS care from December 2022. NHS England is holding further discussions with the British Dental Association and other stakeholders for additional reforms of the NHS Dental System planned to take place this year.

Fertility: Women

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to ONS data entitled Conceptions in England and Wales: 2020 published on 14 April 2022, whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications for its policies of the (a) declining fertility rate among women under 24, (b) stagnating fertility rate among women aged 25-29 and (c) increasing fertility rate among women aged 30 - 39.

Maria Caulfield: No specific assessment has been made.

Dental Services: Finance

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to Answer of 25 July 2022 to Question 19662 on Dental Services: Finance, how much and what proportion of the £50 million funding for increasing access to dental care was taken up by practices in (a) Yorkshire, (b) the North East and (c) England since January 2022.

Neil O'Brien: We made an additional £50 million in funding available for National Health Service dentistry in England in the last quarter of 2021/22 to provide urgent care. The appointments were targeted at patients in most need of urgent dental treatment, including vulnerable groups and children.The following table shows the information requested in respect of the North-East and Yorkshire region together and England. Separate breakdowns for North-East and Yorkshire are not available.Region descriptionFunding allocated (£)Financial value spent (£)Financial value spent as a proportion of the £50 million funding made availableNorth-East and Yorkshire£8,633,000£1,980,9624.0%England£50,000,000£14,172,07428.3% Note: The financial value spent was the amount paid to contractors between February and March 2022.

Mental Health Services: Children

Ian Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government’s decision not to publish a 10-year Mental Health Plan, what steps his Department is taking to protect mental health in the early months and years of a child's life.

Maria Caulfield: The Major Conditions Strategy, announced on 24 January, will tackle conditions that contribute most to morbidity and mortality across the population in England, including mental ill health. An interim report will be published in the summer. The Strategy will set out a strong and coherent policy agenda that sets out a shift to integrated, whole-person care.  A joined up Major Conditions Strategy instead of a standalone mental health strategy will ensure that mental ill health is considered alongside other physical health conditions.In addition, at the 2021 Autumn Budget the Government committed to improving support for families by announcing around £300 million to fund a new three-year Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.A significant proportion of this funding has been allocated to support perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationships. We are committed to ensuring that parents and carers can access timely and seamless mental health and relationship support from a baby’s conception.The Start for Life Programme recognises the need for holistic support for families. Alongside provision for perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationship difficulties, families will be able to access support in areas such as infant feeding and home learning through family hubs which act as one-stop-shop to access early help.

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Afro-caribbeans

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the disproportionally high rates of STI diagnoses among people of Black Caribbean heritage.

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle Trichomonas vaginalis among Black women who are being disproportionately affected by that infection.

Neil O'Brien: UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) routinely collects data to understand the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the communities most impacted by STIs, conducts research to understand the drivers for the higher rates of STIs in some Black communities, then translates these findings into resources for local partners to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of Black communities.In 2021, UKHSA co-produced a resource with third-sector partners to support commissioners and providers in developing interventions for improved sexual health and wellbeing in people from a Black Caribbean background which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-the-sexual-health-and-wellbeing-of-people-from-a-black-caribbean-background-an-evidence-based-resourceThis was based on the translation of findings of research conducted through the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit on blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections available at the following link:https://bbsti.hpru.nihr.ac.uk/our-research/research-themes

Ophthalmic Services: Special Educational Needs

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits delivered by the Special School Eye Care Service; whether that scheme will be rolled out beyond the pilot scheme; how many (a) schools and (b) children participated in the pilot; what the total cost of the pilot scheme was; and whether he is taking steps to help ensure that schools which participated in the scheme will be provided with support and advice following the end of the pilot scheme.

Neil O'Brien: NHS England’s proof-of-concept programme has been conducted in 83 special schools since May 2021. The number of pupils having sight tests increases as clinics continue to be held. To date, over 9000 sight tests have been delivered to at least 7098 pupils. The total cost of the pilot scheme is estimated to be £3.1 million.The NHS England proof-of-concept programme is currently being evaluated. All contracts operating under this programme have been extended until 31 July 2023. This will provide continuity of care until the end of the academic year. The evaluation of the programme will inform decisions about the scope, funding and delivery of any future sight testing model.

Smoking: Health Education

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department spent on campaigns to promote the cessation of smoking in financial year 2021-22.

Neil O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 January 2023 to Question 125324.

Influenza: Vaccination

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of the increase in Strep A infections in young children, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility for flu vaccinations to two-year-olds who were born after 31 August 2020.

Maria Caulfield: Getting flu and other viral infections can increase the risk of invasive Group A Strep infection in the following weeks. The flu vaccine reduces the risk of having flu and group A Strep infections at the same time therefore it reduces the chance of developing invasive Group A Strep. As the Live Attenuated Vaccine is not licensed for those under two years the cut-off date of the 31 August was set to reduce the risk of children who are under this age receiving the vaccine by accident and allows the vaccine to be given in time for the flu season. Sufficient vaccines have been purchased to vaccinate children eligible at the start of the season and to expand the programme at this late stage would risk supply.

Influenza: Vaccination

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2023 to Question 151418 on Influenza: Vaccination, for what reason the disclosure of the quantity of flu vaccinations is considered commercially sensitive.

Maria Caulfield: The volume of flu vaccines procured by UK Health Security Agency test is commercially sensitive as it could potentially be used to determine the cost per unit of vaccines. The release of this information would therefore be detrimental in future negotiations with individual suppliers.

Influenza: Vaccination

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the impact on (a) uptake of vaccinations among eligible cohorts and (b) number of childhood influenza cases over the 2021-22 flu season in the context of the vaccine delivery completion deadline for the Childhood Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2021-22 moving from 15 December 2021 to the end of January 2022.

Maria Caulfield: Overall low levels of influenza activity were seen in 2021 to 2022, with late season activity peaking in week 12 and week 14 of 2022, weeks beginning 20 March and 3 April, when hospital and critical care admissions peaked but at lower levels than seen in previous seasons. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) weekly surveillance reports is available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2021-to-2022-seasonThe UKHSA monthly influenza vaccine uptake data shows that the majority of children were vaccinated by end of December 2021 available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-flu-vaccine-uptake-in-children-of-school-age-monthly-data-2021-to-2022

Public Health: Finance

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase the public health grant for (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 in line with inflation.

Neil O'Brien: We will announce 2023/24 Public Health Grant allocations to local authorities in England shortly.

Leader of the House

Legislation: Impact Assessments

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Leader of the House, if she will take steps to help ensure that impact assessments are published before a Bill is introduced to the House.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Leader of the House, what steps she is taking to help ensure Government impact assessments contain sufficient information and analysis for Members to scrutinise and suggest amendments to legislation.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Leader of the House, how many impact assessments on legislation the Government has published after a bill has (a) been introduced to the House and (b) passed all its stages in the House in this Parliament as of 6 March 2023.

Penny Mordaunt: The Government response to the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee's report on Losing Impact: why the Government’s impact assessment system is failing Parliament and the public (HL Paper 116), was published on 15 December 2022, and is available on parliament.uk (https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/33276/documents/180120/default/).The Government has taken a number of steps to ensure that best practice is followed by departments, for example:providing, and regularly updating, centralised guidance through the Cabinet Office Guide to Making Legislation, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-making-legislation.the Parliamentary Capability Team in the Cabinet Office provides training on managing parliamentary work to civil servants of all departments and grades.Published impact assessments, including their date of publication, are available on the Parliament website (https://bills.parliament.uk/).The Government is clear that Parliament should have the information it needs and that impact assessments should be published, where possible, when legislation is laid before Parliament.

Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Leader of the House, what her timetable is for bringing the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill back to the House for its Report Stage and Third Reading.

Penny Mordaunt: We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. We continue to strengthen these even further, for example through:raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years;bringing in protections for service animals; andsupporting the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill.We are fully committed to delivering our manifesto commitments on animal welfare, including ending the export of live animals and clamping down on the keeping of primates as pets. All future business will be announced in the usual way.

Urgent Questions

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Leader of the House, what steps she is taking to help ensure Ministers are appropriately briefed for Urgent Questions so they are able to answer questions from Members.

Penny Mordaunt: The briefing provided to Ministers in response to Urgent Questions is a matter for individual Departments.The Guide to Parliamentary Work is produced by the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons, working closely with colleagues across government, and in the service of the House of Commons and House of Lords. It is designed for civil servants who work closely with Parliament and, in particular, Parliamentary teams across Whitehall. In November 2022 my office published an updated guide which is available on Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work.The Parliamentary Capability Team in the Cabinet Office also provides training on managing parliamentary work to civil servants of all departments and grades.

Ministry of Justice

Employment Tribunals Service

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2023 to Question 133625 on Employment Tribunals Service, what the mean age at disposal of (a) single claims and (b) multiple claimant cases was in the latest quarter for which information is available.

Mike Freer: The mean age of disposals for single and multiples claims is published and can be found via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2021.The data is only available up to March 2021.

Probate

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the scale of delays to probate claims.

Mike Freer: Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the probate service during the Covid 19 pandemic, and the increased volume of applications that have been seen since, the average length of time taken for a grant of probate following receipt of the documents required has been maintained at between five and seven weeks – with the average responses being almost 1 week faster in quarter 3 of 2022 than the yearly average for 2020 and 2021.HMCTS has increased resources to meet the higher demand following an increased number of estates requiring probate and is further increasing resourcing to further bring down overall timeliness on digital and paper applications.Average waiting times for probate grants, up to September 2022, are routinely published on gov.uk via Family Court Statistics Quarterly (Table 24): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/family-court-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2022.Information covering up to December 2022 will be published on 30 March.

Judges: Pensions

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Retained EU Law bill on the pension rights of part time judges.

Mike Freer: Having carefully considered the options available to him, the Lord Chancellor has decided that the FPJPS regulations should be preserved and has instructed officials to take the necessary actions to that end.

Treasury

Microprocessors: Manufacturing Industries

Liam Byrne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which regulatory agencies have responsibility for protecting defence-critical processor manufacturers from (a) short-selling attacks by hostile foreign states and (b) short seller campaign groups.

Andrew Griffith: The UK’s Short Selling Regulation (SSR), introduced in 2012, regulates the short selling of shares in companies that are admitted to trading in the UK (and UK sovereign debt), while safeguarding public companies and the financial system. The Government believes that short selling plays an important and beneficial role in the orderly and effective functioning of financial markets, by supporting liquidity and risk management and increasing market confidence. The SSR requires firms to report to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on short selling activity and provides the FCA with powers to apply penalties, and to restrict short selling in exceptional circumstances.

Nuclear Power: Investment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to include nuclear power in the UK Green Taxonomy; and whether he has had recent discussions with pension schemes including (a) BT and (b) NatWest on the level of their investments in nuclear power.

Andrew Griffith: The Government’s Energy Security Strategy made clear that nuclear energy is, and will continue to be, a key part of the UK’s low-carbon energy mix alongside solar, wind and other energy sources. The Government therefore intends to include nuclear power in the UK Green Taxonomy, subject to consultation. The development of a Taxonomy is a complex, technical exercise which is linked to multiple sectors of the economy and various legislative and regulatory framework. We have been clear that, with the support of the independent Green Technical Advisory Group and stakeholder engagement, we will take the time to get the taxonomy right to ensure it is usable and effective. Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts and-overseas-travel

Cost of Living

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to provide financial support to people living in coalfields in the context of rises in the cost of living.

John Glen: The Government understands that people are worried about the cost-of-living challenges ahead. That’s why decisive action has been taken to support all households across the UK, whilst remaining fiscally responsible. We have already announced further support for next year worth £26 billion in 2023-24, meaning over 8 million of the most vulnerable households will continue to be supported through next winter via additional Cost of Living Payments and an extension to the household support fund. The Chancellor is fully committed to ensuring the benefits of economic development are felt right across the country, including with billions in support for local growth, skills training and transport.

Sanctions

Holly Lynch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many requests the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has received to grant licenses for legal fees to people designated under sanctions in the last 12 months; and how many and what proportion of those requests it has granted.

James Cartlidge: The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) publishes the number of financial sanctions licences issued in its Annual Review. Information about the total number of licences and the total number of legal fees licences that OFSI has granted for the last five financial years can be found in OFSI’s Annual Review documents, which are publicly available on OFSI’s website. OFSI will publish the latest figures in the next Annual Review in due course.

Unpaid Taxes

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2023 to Question 135480 on Taxation: Fines, how many penalties issued by HM Revenue and Customs which are recorded on the national penalty processing system for unpaid tax amounted to less than £1,000 in each of the last five years.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 135480 on Taxation: Fines, how many penalties issued by HM Revenue and Customs which are recorded on the national penalty processing system for unpaid tax amounted to £1,000 to £9,999 in each of the last five years.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 135480 on Taxation: Fines, how many penalties issued by HM Revenue and Customs which are recorded on the National Penalty Processing System for unpaid tax amounted to £10,000 to £99,999 in each of the last five years.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2023 to Question 135480 on Taxation: Fines, how many penalties issued by HM Revenue and Customs recorded on the National Penalty Processing System for unpaid tax amounted to £100,000 to £999,999 in each of the last five years.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2023 to Question 135480 on Taxation: Fines, how many penalties issued by HM Revenue and Customs recorded on the National Penalty Processing System for unpaid tax amounted to £1,000,000 or above in each of the last five years.

Victoria Atkins: Further to the answers provided to Question 135480 and 139294, the National Penalty Processing System (NPPS) is only used to record certain types of penalty data, such as penalties for inaccuracies in returns and documents; or failure to notify on time.   NPPS does not specifically hold data relating to ‘fines for unpaid tax’.

Humanitarian Aid: Ukraine

Alex Sobel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of extending the customs easement on humanitarian aid for Ukraine after June 2023.

Victoria Atkins: On 27 May 2022 the UK Government extended the temporary customs easement introduced in March 2022 to make it easier to move aid and donations out of the UK to support the people of Ukraine. The easement, which excludes all controlled goods and dual use goods, remains under review ahead of its scheduled end date on 19 June 2023. Government advice remains that organisations and people who would like to help should donate cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to the areas of greatest need, where it can be used to buy what is most needed.

Childcare: Tax Allowances

Chris Stephens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to review the upper limit on tax-free childcare in the context of trends in the level of childcare costs.

John Glen: Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) provides financial support for working parents with their childcare costs. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the Government adds £2 up to a maximum of £2,000 in top up per year for each child up to age 11 and up to £4,000 per disabled child until they’re 17. Take-up of Tax-Free Childcare has continued to increase and is on a steady upward trajectory: an estimated 428,000 families used Tax-Free Childcare for 511,000 children in November 2022, this quarter’s peak, compared to 401,000 families using Tax-Free Childcare for 478,000 children in September 2022.  Additional childcare support is available: all three- and four-year-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare per week, regardless of circumstance. Eligible working parents of three- and four-year-olds can also access an additional 15 hours of free childcare per week, also known as 30 hours free childcare. Moreover, Universal Credit (UC) claimants are able to claim up to 85% of their childcare costs.

High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the suitability of the thresholds for paying High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is committed to managing the public finances in a disciplined and responsible way.The Adjusted Net Income threshold of £50,000 for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) means that the Government continues to support the majority of Child Benefit claimants, whilst ensuring that the fiscal position remains sustainable. The Government therefore considers that the current threshold remains appropriate.However, as with all elements of tax policy, the Government keeps this under review.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Turkey: Earthquakes

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that aid can pass freely into Türkiye following the recent earthquakes.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK is working in close coordination with the Turkish authorities, the United Nations and NGO partners to ensure that aid makes it to those who are most in need, including vulnerable and minority communities. The UK responded immediately to provide life-saving support to Turkey and Syria. In Turkey, a UK International Search and Rescue team arrived in Gaziantep on 7 February and commenced operations within the critical 72-hour rescue window and from 14 February, we deployed a world-class UK medical team, field clinic and field hospital to Turkey. The UK has committed a significant package of aid, including by delivering thousands of vital items such as tents and blankets to Turkey and Syria, totalling over 400 tonnes. The Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, now exceeding £100 million, includes £5 million of the UK Aid Match. UK aid, ranging from search and rescue to medical care, has helped thousands of survivors in Turkey and Syria. Over 9,000 patients have been treated by UK medical teams in Turkey as of 7 March.

Thailand: Conditions of Employment

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) the Department for Business and Trade and (b) his counterpart in the Thai government on the issue of labour rights in Thai factories used by British companies.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK Government is clear that it expects all UK businesses to respect human rights throughout their operations, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In 2015, we introduced the Modern Slavery Act, which requires businesses with a turnover of £36 million or more to publish an annual modern slavery statement stating the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.The Foreign Secretary has not discussed the labour rights of garment workers in Thailand with the Department of Business and Trade or with his Thai counterpart. The British Ambassador to Thailand has raised this issue at senior levels of the Royal Thai Government.

China: Human Rights

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2023 to Question 153895 on China: Human Rights, whether Ministers in his Department have discussed that issue with British business representatives since 1 January 2023.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK Government is committed to supporting UK businesses to engage with China in a way that reflects UK values. We regularly engage with UK businesses operating in China, including Hong Kong. UK-listed companies operating in Hong Kong are required to cover relevant human rights issues as part of their annual corporate reporting. The Government has also taken a number of measures to help ensure that UK businesses are not complicit in human rights violations occurring in China. This includes new guidance for UK businesses and enhanced export controls.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Guided Weapons

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has displayed a ballistic missile with Death to Israel written on it in Hebrew.

David Rutley: The UK is clear that Iran's ballistic missile program poses a threat to regional security. Iran should stop its threats to Israel which escalate already high tensions. Our commitment to Israel's security is unwavering. The UK works to counter malign Iranian activity in the Middle East and has sanctioned over 300 Iranian individuals and entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety. Alongside France and Germany, we have written regularly to the UN Secretary-General to draw attention to Iranian missile activity inconsistent with UNSCR 2231.

India: Solar Power

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the World Bank in relation to solar projects located in the villages of Agar, Shajapur and Neemuch in the Madhya Pradesh region of India funded via the Clean Technology Fund in order to help ensure (a) adequate compensation for anyone displaced by those projects and (b) appropriate consideration of the welfare of affected communities in the planning and delivery of those projects.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: India is a critical partner in climate change. India's focus on expanding renewables at an unprecedented speed is to be commended and its leadership can also bring other developing nations with it. We are working with India including through a $1 billion World Bank Green Guarantee and British International Investment Partnerships to support India's commitment to become Net Zero by 2070.As a contributor to the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) we are aware of the project's Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration Plan (RLRP) and will look to this to deliver a fair and equitable solution for the affected people and communities.

Yemen: Food Supply

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his planned timetable is for the BRIGHTLY consortium implementing the UK's food security programme in Yemen.

David Rutley: The BRIGHTLY consortium will start operating on the ground in April 2023 and has a signed agreement up until December 2026. Working with local and international NGOs, the consortium will support up to 40,000 Yemeni people a month through provision of both cash-based and livelihood programmes. These have been proven to be effective approaches to building resilience and empowering households to escape poverty.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Advisory Bodies

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will (a) publish the membership of the FCDO’s SME Advisory Panel and (b) confirm how many times it has met since its establishment.

David Rutley: FCDO's Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) Advisory Panel shortlist has been selected, the outcome is being communicated to all applicants. On confirmation that all applicants have received the outcome correspondence, FCDO will publish the membership details on FCDO's website. The SME Advisory panel launch meeting will take place Spring 2023, with quarterly meetings thereafter.

Russia: Iran

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on peace and stability in the Middle East of reports that Russia has supplied anti-tank (a) missile and (b) missile technology to Iran; and if he will make a statement.

David Rutley: The UK is clear that Russia and Iran's relationship does not just affect Ukraine. On 9 December in a statement the Foreign Secretary highlighted Russia's offer of military and technical support to the Iranian regime and the risk this poses to international security and our partners in the Middle East.Alongside our allies the Government has introduced severe sanctions against Russia's defence industry, including prohibiting exports of defence equipment to Russia. UNSCR 2231 also limits the ability of states to share certain missile technology with Iran. We will continue to work with the international community to hold Russia and Iran to account and deter others from supporting and benefitting from Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.

UK Trade with EU

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Windsor Framework permits the EU to withdraw green lane flexibilities in the event of regulatory divergence between the EU and the UK.

Leo Docherty: The new arrangements in this agreement set out concrete legal changes to remove red tape and checks for internal UK trade, as well as legally binding, permanent solutions to a wide range of practical problems raised by citizens, businesses and politicians in Northern Ireland.To secure the smooth flow of internal UK trade, we have inserted new text into Article 6(2) of the Protocol to lock in a commitment by both sides to establish and maintain specific arrangements for internal UK trade - which is subject to arbitration, rather than the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Windsor Framework

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in which circumstances the Windsor Framework permits the EU to revoke green lane procedures.

Leo Docherty: The new arrangements in this agreement set out concrete legal changes to remove red tape and checks for internal UK trade, as well as legally binding, permanent solutions to a wide range of practical problems raised by citizens, businesses and politicians in Northern Ireland.To secure the smooth flow of internal UK trade, we have inserted new text into Article 6(2) of the Protocol to lock in a commitment by both sides to establish and maintain specific arrangements for internal UK trade - which is subject to arbitration, rather than the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Afghanistan: Non-governmental Organisations

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage UN agencies to support non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan that have had to suspend their activities in that country.

Leo Docherty: The UK recognises that some partners or organisations may choose to either partially or fully suspend activities for a variety of reasons in the current context. Where non-governmental organization (NGO) partners have had to suspend activity, either partially or fully, FCDO is continuing to cover staff salaries and other critical associated operational costs and is encouraging UN agencies to do the same. We are also working with other donors to ensure we maintain a common position regarding our support to organisations who have suspended activities.

Diplomatic Relations

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Member States of the United Nations did not have at least one Diplomatic Service Officer present in the UK on 1 March 2023.

David Rutley: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the London Diplomatic List published on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk).The London Diplomatic List contains the names, addresses and contact details of all embassies and high commissions with diplomatic representation in the UK. The list also includes Honorary Consular representatives of countries not represented by a Diplomatic Mission in London. The page also includes:- A list of heads of mission in order of precedence, including the date of appointment and details of the role.- A list of consular offices outside London including Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Nigeria: Elections

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the legitimacy of the Nigerian Presidential Election held on 25th February 2023.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government commends Nigerian voters for their participation in the Nigerian Presidential election on 25 February and for their patience and resilience in exercising their democratic rights. We note the position of opposition parties on the election outcome and the concerns expressed by observer missions and civil society about the organisation of the process, including delays and technical challenges. We encourage the Nigerian authorities to examine all concerns carefully, take action to resolve outstanding issues and focus on delivering the will of the Nigerian people.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many personnel his Department plans to employ in the Small Island Developing States hub.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: FCDO has launched the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Hub to provide a strategic global lead on cross-cutting SIDS issues, working in partnership with our regional and country teams. The Hub now has seven staff and we have no immediate plans to increase this staffing level.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK Small Island Developing States strategy 2022 to 2026, published on 27 February 2023, when the Small Island Developing States Envoy will be appointed.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Special Envoy for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Rebecca Fabrizi, was appointed in April 2022.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he had discussions with his counterparts in (a) Australia, (b) New Zealand and (c) France on the UK's Small Island Developing States strategy in the Indo-Pacific region when preparing the policy paper entitled UK Small Island Developing States strategy 2022 to 2026, published on 27 February 2023.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Prior to the publication of the paper, discussions have been held on the UK's approach to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Hub's issues at official level with Australia, New Zealand and France. Within the Indo-Pacific region, discussions with partners take place at all levels including through the Partners in the Blue Pacific initiative of which Australia and New Zealand are members and France has participated in discussions.

Haiti: International Assistance

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart on the Canadian Prime Minister's announcement on 17 February 2023 that Canada will deploy warships to patrol the coast of Haiti.

David Rutley: The Foreign Secretary has not held discussions with his Canadian counterpart regarding the Canadian Prime Minister's announcement that Canada will deploy warships to patrol the coast of Haiti.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the address of 30 January 2023 to the diplomatic corps by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, what his policy is on introducing sanctions on Rwanda.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We do not speculate about future sanctions.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports that (a) war crimes and (b) insurgency by the March 23 Movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo are funded by the Rwandan government.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are monitoring ongoing territorial advances in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by armed group M23 closely. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution. We urge all parties to honour commitments made during regional political meetings, including the cessation of hostilities, respect for sovereignty and agreed withdrawal by M23. We raise ongoing tensions with the Governments of DRC and the region, including Rwanda, at the highest levels. This week, I [Minister Mitchell] called Rwandan Foreign Minister Biruta. We discussed the need for agreed ceasefires to be implemented and for the commitments made under the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes to be met. The Prime Minister also discussed the situation with Rwandan President Kagame this week.

Paul Kagame

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on the proposed trial of President Paul Kagame for war crimes.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The FCDO is not aware of any proposed trial of President Paul Kagame for war crimes.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Question

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support growth in the creative industries.

Julia Lopez: The creative industries are an economic powerhouse, and one of my priorities is to continue this growth.My Department will publish a Creative Industries Sector Vision in the coming months, which will set out how we will work together with industry to drive the sector’s growth between now and 2030.My Department is investing £50 million into creative businesses up and down the country to help them grow, in addition to more than £100m from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Question

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the BBC Board on the adequacy of pay transparency at the BBC.

Julia Lopez: Licence fee payers deserve to know how their money is being spent, which is why the Government introduced requirements for the BBC to disclose staff salaries in the current Charter.We expect the BBC to be held to the highest standards on transparency.The Government has regular meetings with BBC leadership on a range of issues. Ultimately the amount the BBC pays its staff is a matter for the BBC.

Question

Nick Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help encourage video on demand services to adopt British Board of Film Classification age ratings.

Julia Lopez: The Board of Film Classification’s (BBFC) well-recognised age ratings and content advice continue to be of huge value to audiences.My Department is consulting with the BBFC and video-on-demand services on the role of age ratings, as part of work on the future regulation of video-on-demand services.I was pleased to see the new partnership between Amazon Prime Video and BBFC. Netflix already carries BBFC age ratings across their entire UK catalogue and we welcome BBFC’s continued engagement with other providers in the sector.

Press: Standards

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) reporting standards and (b) levels of public trust in the press, and whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to raise standards and restore public trust.

Julia Lopez: The Government is committed to independent self-regulation of the press, and does not intervene in or oversee the work of the press regulators.

Charities: Lotteries

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the (a) impact of the changes to charity lottery limits implemented in 2020 on the financial stability of charities and (b) implications for her policies of that impact.

Stuart Andrew: Society lotteries are an important fundraising tool for many charities and other good causes throughout the country. They are regulated as a gambling product, and require a licence from the Gambling Commission in order to operate. We recognise their benefits as part of a mixed portfolio of funding, as they are able to provide a source of regular and unrestricted income.Under the current regulatory framework, a charity holding a single operator licence is able to sell up to £50 million of tickets per year, which can provide for a healthy supplement to other sources of income.We reviewed the impact of the society lottery sales and prize limit increases, 12 months after they were implemented in July 2020. We continue to keep this under review with the Gambling Commission.

Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

Sir Edward Leigh: What steps her Department is taking to help ensure community participation in the celebration of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

Stuart Andrew: The Coronation will be a historic moment to celebrate and strengthen our national identity and showcase the best of the UK to the world.DCMS is leading a programme of events and projects enabling local communities across the UK to celebrate the Coronation.This includes a national Coronation Big Lunch, street parties, and The Big Help Out - a day of community volunteering.And Lottery distributors are making funds available for community events.You can visit Coronation.gov.uk for information about the Coronation and ways to get involved.

Eurovision Song Contest: Ukraine

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates Ukrainian culture.

Stuart Andrew: The UK is hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine and we are committed to hosting a competition that celebrates both the UK and Ukraine.I have announced £10 million in support of a collaborative show celebrating music and how it unites people from around the world.This funding will be used by Liverpool and the BBC to collaborate with the Ukrainian national broadcaster, and artists and performers from Ukraine, and for security and other operational aspects of the competition.

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: Legal Costs

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent on court cases in each of the last five years.

Mims Davies: The payments made for Legal Settlements for the last five years are as follows.  18/1919/2020/2121/22YTD 22/23591310291112,223.21377,659.02744,421.701,161,723.84579,200.25

Cost of Living: Lone Parents

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support single parents during the cost-of-living crisis.

Mims Davies: In April, we are uprating benefit rates and State Pensions by 10.1%. In order to increase the number of households who can benefit from these uprating decisions, the benefit cap levels are also increasing by the same amount. To further support those who are in work, from 1 April 2023 subject to parliamentary approval, the National Living Wage (NLW) will increase by 9.7% to £10.42 an hour for workers aged 23 and over - the largest ever cash increase for the NLW. Childcare is a key enabler of employment for parents and has clear developmental benefits for children. The Government has spent more than £20 billion over the past five years supporting families with the cost of childcare through the free early education entitlements administered through DfE and support through the benefits system or Tax-Free Childcare. Work continues across Government to identify opportunities to improve support further, including to boost the take-up of existing offers.Households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments in 2023/24. This will be split into three payments of around £300 each across the 2023/24 financial year. In addition, individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits will receive a £150 payment. Further to this, the Energy Price Guarantee will be extended from April 2023 until the end of March 2024, meaning a typical household bill will be around £3,000 per year in Great Britain. This support is in addition to that provided in 2022/23, including cost of living payments for people on eligible benefits, the Energy Price Guarantee and the £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

Childcare: Fees and Charges

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support single parents with the cost of childcare.

Mims Davies: To support people to become financially resilient by moving into work and progressing in work, eligible UC claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month regardless of the number of hours they work. This is up to the maximum amount of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 per month for two or more children. For families with two children, this could be worth over £13,000 a year.The UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible free childcare hours if more hours are worked and childcare required.

Universal Credit

Ian Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2023 to Question 154037, how many and what proportion of participants in the additional jobcentre support pilot (a) made applications to be reimbursed for and (b) were reimbursed for the cost of travel above their weekly or fortnightly attendance.

Ian Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2023 to Question 154037, what the average processing time was for claims by participants in the additional jobcentre support pilot for travel costs during the pilot.

Guy Opperman: The flexible support fund is there to assist claimants. The pilot is in its early stages, as such this requested information is not presently available.

Universal Credit: Employment

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job starts were recorded by each Job Centre Plus site participating in the Additional Jobcentre Support pilot in each month since their establishment.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job starts have been recorded by (a) Pontefract, (b) Partick, and (c) Coalville Job Centre Plus in each month since January 2021; and if he will provide a breakdown by month.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people participated in the Additional Jobcentre Support pilot at each pilot site.

Guy Opperman: As the pilot started on 27th February, it is too early to report on the number of participants in the Additional Jobcentre Support pilot. The Department will monitor the pilot internally on an ongoing basis. The evaluation strategy is being finalised and the Department is currently considering what information will be released and when.

Carer's Allowance

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the carer's allowance for supporting unpaid carers with their living costs.

Tom Pursglove: This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society. The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance is to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to provide regular and substantial care for a severely disabled person.  It is not a “carer’s wage” or designed to fully replace the income from work that an unpaid carer may have foregone. The current rate of Carer’s Allowance is £69.70 per week. From April, the rate will increase to £76.75 per week. This means that, since 2010, it will have increased from £53.90 to £76.75 a week, providing around an additional £1200 a year for carers through Carer’s Allowance. In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers on low incomes can claim income-related benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the carer element and the additional amount for carers respectively. From April, the Universal Credit carer element will be £185.86 per monthly assessment period, and the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit will be £42.75 a week. Around 489,000 (November 2022 data) carer households on Universal Credit can currently receive around an additional £2,000 a year through the carer element and this will increase to an additional £2,200 a year from April. The Government has chosen to focus extra support on those carers who need it most.

Universal Credit

Ian Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2023 to Question 154038, whether the impact assessment included an assessment of the potential impact on universal credit claimants of travelling to up to 10 one-to-one jobcentre appointments within a two-week period; and if he will publish the impact assessment.

Guy Opperman: Claimants can request to be reimbursed for additional travel costs to Jobcentre appointments, over and above their weekly/fortnightly attendance, during the two-week period of intensive support. This follows our usual process. Work Coaches will continue to tailor support based on the claimant’s needs and the eligibility criteria set for the pilot. The eligibility criteria are designed to focus this support on claimants who are able to start work but struggling to find work or increase their earnings. Vulnerable claimants and those whose circumstances prevent them from being available for work are not required to participate.

Childcare: Fees and Charges

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of parents who have left the workforce due to the cost of childcare in the last 12 months.

Guy Opperman: The number of people with dependent children who were working in Oct-Dec 2022 (11.855m) is almost the same as in the same quarter in 2019 (11.854m), before the pandemic. The number of 16- to 64-year-olds who were economically inactive due to looking after family or home in Oct-Dec 2022 was 1,702,000, down 138,000 on pre-pandemic period (Dec-Feb 2020), and down 667,000 on the 2010 election.

Personal Independence Payment

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes when an AR1 form is returned late by the claimant.

Tom Pursglove: If the AR1 is not returned within the time limit, and the customer has an Additional Support (AS) marker, their claim will be automatically referred to a healthcare professional for an assessment. The claim will not be disallowed for non-return of AR1. If an AR1 is not returned within the time limit, and AS needs have not been identified, the case will be automatically disallowed, and the PIP system will generate a disallowance notification. The date of disallowance will be the day the decision is made. It should be noted that claimants who may need more time to complete their form can contact the DWP and a 2-week extension will be granted. When an AR1 is received late, a notification is produced which prompts a Case Manager (CM) to review the case. For cases with an AS marker:- If the case has already been sent to the assessment provider, the AR1 will be forwarded to them so they can include the information provided as part of their recommendation; and- If the assessment provider has already completed a review, and made a recommendation made on the facts available without an AR1, and the case is now with a CM, the CM will consider the information provided on the AR1 before making their decision. For cases without an AS marker:- A CM will review the case, consider good cause for the late receipt of AR1 and contact the claimant if necessary;- The CM will check to see whether the claimant is vulnerable and/or additional support is required; and- If the CM accepts good cause they will reinstate the PIP award and the claim will continue on the journey. If not, they will uphold the disallowance action.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were receiving the (a) support element of Employment Support Allowance and (b) limited capability for work-related activity element of Universal Credit, but were not receiving the (i) Personal Independent Payment and (ii) Disability Living Allowance in the latest 12 months for which data are available.

Tom Pursglove: On 31st August 2022, 373,000 people in Great Britain were receiving the Support Group award of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) without receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 259,000 people were receiving the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity Element (LCWRA) of Universal Credit (UC) without receiving PIP or DLA. The below table shows the figures for the end of the four most recent quarters.  Month endNov-21Feb-22May-22Aug-22 People receiving ESA/UC without PIP/DLAESA Support Group292,000281,000270,000259,000 UC LCWRA307,000327,000350,000373,000  Sources: Benefit Combinations, Universal Credit Full Service, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. Notes:This is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and may be subject to future revision;Data covers Great Britain only;The volumes above may include claimants that are subsequently given a PIP award that covers the reference date;The volumes may also include Scottish claimants that are claiming Scottish disability benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment) instead of PIP or DLA; andFigures have been rounded to the nearest 1,000.

Employment: Older People

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to (a) introduce retraining programmes and (b) take further steps to help support unemployed people over the age of 50 move back into the workforce.

Guy Opperman: The Government offers a wide range of training programmes such as Sector-based Work Academies, Skills Bootcamps and Apprenticeships aimed at helping people of all ages find work or a new career. Unemployed benefit claimants are supported by Work Coaches and other Jobcentre Plus staff, who are equipped with knowledge about local labour markets and training opportunities, including what may be available for older people looking to move back into employment. The Government is also providing over £20 million over the Spending Review Period for an enhanced offer for people aged 50+ to remain in and return to work. Mid-life MOTs will be delivered to people in work in the private sector; to eligible customers in the Jobcentres; and the digital Mid-life MOT will also be expanded and improved. Sessions in the Jobcentres have already started to be delivered. This funding will also ensure that older jobseekers on Universal Credit receive more intensive, tailored support during the first nine months of their claim. This will give work coaches more time to spend with older job seekers who have recently become unemployed, and who the work coach feels need extra support to tackle barriers or difficulties in finding work. There are also multiple over 50 jobs fairs, Mid-life MOT fairs and 50 plus events in individual regions and JCPs to facilitate this.

Personal Independence Payment

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many AR1 forms were returned late in each of the last five years.

Tom Pursglove: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the ability of claimants to afford to travel to their Job Centre Plus for daily appointments.

Guy Opperman: To ensure that claimants can attend these appointments, our Work Coaches will continue to tailor support based on the claimant’s needs and the eligibility criteria set for the pilot. Claimants can request to be reimbursed for additional travel costs to Jobcentre appointments, over and above their weekly/fortnightly attendance, during the two-week period of intensive support using the flexible support fund. This follows our usual process.

Employment: Coronavirus

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the recommendations in the report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council entitled COVID-19 and Occupational Impacts, published on 16 November 2022.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will accept the recommendations in the report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council entitled COVID-19 and Occupational Impacts, published on 16 November 2022.

Tom Pursglove: The department is advised by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), an independent scientific body, on changes to the list of occupational diseases for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit can be paid. Their report ‘COVID-19 and Occupational Impacts’ was published in November 2022, and recommended prescription for health and social care workers with five serious pathological complications following COVID-19 infection. The department is currently carrying out a detailed assessment of the report’s recommendations. Once this work is complete, the department will provide a formal response. It would be premature therefore, at this stage, to give a view on the Council’s recommendations or their wider applicability to DWP policies.

Universal Credit

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has make of the ability of Universal Credit claimants to be able to afford dietary recommendations outlined in Public Health England's Eatwell Guide.

Guy Opperman: No such assessment has been made.

Personal Independence Payment: Epilepsy

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process for people with epilepsy; and how many and what proportion of people with epilepsy successfully appealed an initial assessment for PIP in the latest period for which data is available.

Tom Pursglove: No such assessment has been made. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise from needs related to a long-term health condition or disability. Entitlement is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from the health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself. Decisions are made following consideration of all of the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist, together with an assessment report from a healthcare professional. For decisions made up to 30th June 2022, where claimants had one of the conditions within the 'Epilepsy' subgroup recorded as their primary condition, there were 9,500 successful appeals, 11% of initial decisions relating to epilepsy. Please note:Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 and percentages to the nearest percent;Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple conditions upon which the decision is based, but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics;The ‘epilepsy’ subgroup contains conditions such as cataplexy, generalised seizures and narcolepsy;”We have provided data for England and Wales (excluding Scotland) in line with the latest published figures on PIP;These figures include initial decisions following assessment for PIP (New Claims and Reassessments) from April 2013 up to 30th June 2022, the latest date for which published data is available;These figures include appeal outcomes up to 30th September 2022, the latest date for which published data is available. Note that more appeals could be made and completed after September 2022, so numbers may change as it can take some time for an appeal to be lodged and then cleared after the initial decision;Successful appeals have been defined as those overturned at tribunal and those lapsed by the DWP;A lapsed appeal is where the DWP changed the decision in the customer’s favour after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at a tribunal hearing; andThe appeal figures will include some decisions which are changed at a mandatory reconsideration, where the claimant continues to appeal for a higher PIP award, which are then changed again at appeal.

Carers: Earnings Rules

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a dedicated work allowance for unpaid carers who are in receipt of Universal Credit and the carer element.

Tom Pursglove: There are no plans to make an assessment. The carers element is an additional amount of benefit, payable in Universal Credit, to support carers who provide care of 35 hours or more each week for a severely disabled person, and as such have no work related requirements. This payment is made in recognition of the support provided by carers for relatives, partners and friends who may be ill, frail, or disabled.

Carers: Earnings Rules

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of unpaid carers in receipt of (a) carer’s allowance and (b) the carer element of Universal Credit are of working age.

Tom Pursglove: As of August 2022, around 945,000 working age unpaid carers were receiving Carer’s Allowance. Around 99% of those receiving Carer’s Allowance are of working age. The information requested for Universal Credit is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Occupational Health: Small Businesses

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of small and medium sized enterprises on the potential merits of providing Government subsidies for the purchase of occupational health services.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on demand from small and medium-sized enterprises for occupational health services.

Tom Pursglove: Access to Occupational Health (OH) services can play an important role in supporting disabled people, and people with health conditions, to stay and succeed in work. The Government is working with employers, and the commercial OH market, to increase access to good quality and cost-effective OH services. This package of activity (which was set out in the Health is Everyone’s Business consultation response) supports the Government’s aim to reduce levels of sickness absence from work and resulting job loss. Government officials regularly engage with a range of stakeholders, including small business organisations, wider business organisations and the OH sector. This includes engagement on work to design and test a financial incentive service to support small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed people to overcome cost barriers to accessing OH advice and assessments. The service will gather insight from employers about financial incentives for OH to influence employer demand. We will also undertake an employer survey to gather further evidence from employers on their perceptions and use of OH more generally.

Cost of Living Payments: Isle of Wight

Bob Seely: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people who will receive the second cost of living payment on the Isle of Wight.

Mims Davies: The estimated number of benefit units eligible for the means-tested benefit cost of living payment in the Isle of Wight Westminster parliamentary constituency is 17,900. There are an estimated 18,500 individuals who are eligible for the disability cost of living payment in the Isle of Wight constituency. The Department for Work and Pensions has published an Impact Assessment on the Cost of Living Payments. Further information can be found here: SocSec(AdditionalPayments)IA.pdf (parliament.uk) The pensioner cost of living payment will be delivered through the Winter Fuel Payment. The number of Winter Fuel Payments awarded in the Isle of Wight constituency in winter 2021 to 2022 was 37,903. Statistics for the Winter of 2022 to 2023 will be published in September 2023. A full breakdown of Winter Fuel statistics can be found here: Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2020 to 2021 and winter 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Barnsley Central

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Barnsley Central constituency are in receipt of the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Tom Pursglove: Information on the number of people in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) by residence-based geography is available on StatXplore in the IIDB assessments in payment dataset. As of June 2022 (the most recently published data), there were 860 claimants in receipt of an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit payment in the constituency of Barnsley Central.

National Insurance Credits: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people in receipt of Universal Credit in York have not had National Insurance credits added to their contributions record as of 6 March 2023.

Guy Opperman: The Department does not hold data relating to how many people in receipt of Universal Credit have not had National Insurance credits added to their contributions record. However, we are working with HMRC to progress a solution as soon as possible. Once resolved, affected claimants’ records will be corrected and their State Pension will be re-assessed.

Childcare: Fees and Charges

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that the cost of childcare does not lead to parents leaving the workforce.

Guy Opperman: The Secretary of State speaks to cabinet colleagues on a regular basis. Financial help with childcare is already there for low-income families. Eligible Universal Credit (UC) claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month regardless of the number of hours they work. The UC childcare policy aligns with the wider government childcare offer in England such that UC childcare costs can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible free childcare hours if more hours are worked and childcare required. In addition, there is the 15/30 hours of tax-free childcare. This means that for many claimants, childcare costs should not present any barriers to entering or remaining in work.

Universal Credit: Uprating

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of raising the standard allowance of Universal Credit in the context of rising inflation.

Guy Opperman: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has completed his statutory annual up-rating review and State Pension and benefit rates will increase in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for the year to September 2022. This means the rate of Universal Credit standard allowance will increase by 10.1% from 10 April 2023. His decisions were announced by means of a written ministerial statement on 17 November 2022 and the rates can be found on gov.uk: Benefit and pension rates 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Mining

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who previously worked in the coal mining industry have been assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit in each of the last five years.

Tom Pursglove: Information on the number of assessments for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) by Standard Industrial Classification is available on StatXplore in the IIDB Assessments dataset. The number of people who were assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit over the last 5 years following employment in a Standard Industrial Classification ‘Mining and Quarrying’ occupation is as follows: 2017/18 – 4,110;2018/19 – 3,170;2019/20 – 2,890;2020/21 – 930;2021/22 – 2,610. This covers all assessment outcomes, including: accepted payable; accepted not payable; accepted no loss of faculty; disallowed; withdrawn; unknown and not applicable.

Carer's Allowance: Appeals

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average length of time was to determine mandatory reconsiderations for carers allowance as of 1 March 2023.

Tom Pursglove: This information is only available at disproportionate cost to the Department for Work & Pensions as the department does not have a business requirement for this information to be retained.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding has been given in Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for the PD A15 criteria since it was added to the eligibility list.

Tom Pursglove: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. A breakdown of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) assessments by prescribed disease can be found on the ‘IIDB Assessments’ dataset at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk. The latest benefit expenditure figures, including yearly expenditure on Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), is available in the benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2022 (Table 4) at: Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). However, an expenditure breakdown by prescribed disease is not available.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Environmental Land Management Schemes

Ben Everitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to create public access available to all through Environmental Land Management.

Mark Spencer: Protecting our environment is at the heart of the Government manifesto and we will always back British farmers and our rural communities. Environmental land manage-ment is the foundation of our new approach.We want to support access to our countryside, farmland or woodland so the public can understand and become engaged with farming and the environment. It can also provide recreation opportunities and health benefits. Under Countryside Stewardship we already pay for a number of actions focusing on increasing public access:• farmers hosting tours of their farms for school pupils and care farming visi-tors (ED1)• providing access maps and signage, and preparing sites for access by providing toilet facilities, shelters, new footpaths, bridges and gates, with the objective of greater public accessibility of the countryside (AC1)• accreditation for staff carrying out countryside educational access visits (AC2)• a supplement to enable permissive access across woodland, where access is currently limited (WS4)Through our Farming in Protected Landscapes programme we also pay for projects that provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage, including permissive access.As we continue to expand and improve our schemes, building on the successful adoption of Countryside Stewardship, we are exploring how we can update and pay for actions covering permissive access; managing existing access pressures on land and water, and; expanding education access beyond groups of school pupils and care farming visitors.Public access is also supported by our Landscape Recovery scheme. Projects are assessed for the benefits they will deliver for a wide range of objectives including social outcomes, and are required to complete a site access plan as part of the project development phase.

Rights of Way: Registration

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department intends to implement a cut-off date of the 1 January 2026 for registering historic rights of way claims with local authorities.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Stepping Forward - The Stakeholder Working Group on Unrecorded Public Rights of Way: Report to Natural England, published in March 2010, what progress her Department has made on developing a rights of way reform package.

Trudy Harrison: The Secretary of State is keen to ensure that rights of way policy is delivering for users, landowners and local authorities. The 2026 cut-off date is currently under review and we will provide a further update shortly. The Government is committed to implementing the rights of way reform measures which will streamline processes for recording rights of way with landowners, local authorities and users benefitting from a faster, more cost effective, less confrontational and less bureaucratic process. We will also introduce the right to apply regulations which will give landowners a statutory right to apply to have rights of way diverted or extinguished in certain circumstances, such as where paths pass through hazardous farmyards.

Electronic Cigarettes: Packaging

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the forthcoming extended producer responsibility for packaging scheme on the amount of disposable vape packaging (a) used, (b) recycled and (c) going to landfill in each of the next five years.

Rebecca Pow: We do not plan to make a specific assessment of the potential impact of the forthcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme on disposable vape packaging. However, we expect EPR to both reduce household packaging waste and improve its recyclability, thereby reducing the amount of packaging that is sent to landfill.

Camping Sites: National Parks

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will (a) introduce and (b) expand permissive wild camping rights in each National Park.

Trudy Harrison: Permissive wild camping is a matter for each National Park Authority and the respective landowners. We have no plans to introduce or expand wild camping rights in National Parks centrally.

Deposit Return Schemes: Impact Assessments

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Impact Assessment on introducing a deposit return scheme, published on 24 February 2021, if her Department will re-evaluate the findings published in that Assessment on net benefits of (a) a scheme that excludes glass and (b) an all-in scheme.

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of not including glass in the forthcoming deposit return scheme on consumer choice.

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to match the target to recover 90% of the materials in the scope of the deposit return scheme for drinks containers by 2028 with a similar target for glass.

Rebecca Pow: A Final Impact Assessment will be published in alignment with the next phase of the DRS work in order to allow us to update the analysis to accurately reflect what is set out in the government response with the most recent data available. Glass bottles will not be captured by DRS in England and Northern Ireland as the respective governments believe the addition of glass will add additional complexity and challenges to delivery of DRS in particular to the hospitality and retail sectors, as well as additional consumer inconvenience. Given concerns raised on managing glass in a DRS, delivery of the scheme will focus on plastic bottles and aluminium/steel cans in England and Northern Ireland. Whilst not in scope of the DRS in England and Northern Ireland, glass drinks bottles will be covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging scheme in both nations, which will place targets on producers in relation to glass recycling. The proposed recycling target for glass packaging under EPR is 83% by 2030.

Nature Conservation: Poaching

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the poaching of (a) jaguars and (b) endangered animals.

Trudy Harrison: The UK is committed to protecting endangered animals and plants from poaching and illegal trade to benefit wildlife, local communities and the economy while protecting global security. As part of this commitment, we are increasing our funding and will invest a further £30 million between 2022 and 2025 to directly counter poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Through Defra’s grant scheme, the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, we are funding practical projects to protect endangered species – including jaguars - and reduce poverty in developing countries. This includes a project that aims to tackle the poaching of jaguars by targeting the illegal jaguar teeth trade in Bolivia by expanding local intelligence networks. Further information on Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund projects is available here: https://iwt.challengefund.org.uk/.

Carbon Emissions: Technology

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to encourage the use of low carbon technologies such as water saving devices in (a) new build and (b) existing homes.

Rebecca Pow: On 31st January 2023, as part of the Environment Improvement Plan, we published our roadmap for water efficiency in new developments and retrofits. Here we set out 10 actions we are taking on water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, including reviewing building regulations and working across government to integrate water efficiency into energy efficiency advice and retrofit programmes. The actions can be found in further detail here: Environmental Improvement Plan (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Environment Protection

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who the lead Minister in her Department was at the commencement of work that led to the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023.

Trudy Harrison: The Environmental Improvement Plan and its five-yearly review are requirements of the Environment Act, which was commenced 9th November 2021. The Secretary of State is responsible for delivery of those commitments within the Act.

Birds: Conservation

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that both landowners and the people responsible are brought to justice in cases of raptor persecution.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take additional steps to prevent the killing of (a) raptors and (b) other birds of prey in England.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle (a) raptor persecution and (b) rural crime.

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason landowners of country estates are not subject to vicarious liability in instances of raptor persecution.

Trudy Harrison: This government takes wildlife crime seriously. We have significant sanctions for crimes against birds of prey in place which include an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence. Raptor persecution is a national wildlife crime priority. Defra continues to be fully involved with the police-led national Bird of Prey Crime Priority Delivery Group and Natural England continues to work closely with wildlife crime officers. In 2022, Defra more than doubled its funding of the National Wildlife Crime Unit from a total of £495,000 over the three previous years to £1.2 million for the three year period of 2022-25 to tackle priorities including crimes against birds of prey. Where any birds of prey are killed illegally the full force of the law should apply to proven perpetrators of the crime. Vicarious liability occurs where one person can be held liable for the actions of another person. In relation to raptor persecution this means a landowner (or shooting manager) can be held criminally liable for unlawful acts of others on their land such as the shooting of a bird of prey. It has been introduced in Scotland but it is unclear whether it has had a significant deterrent effect. We will continue to monitor the situation in Scotland to consider whether it is necessary and proportionate to assist in tackling wildlife crime in England.

Marine Protected Areas: South West

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to designate Highly Protected Marine Areas in the South West of England.

Trudy Harrison: Defra recently announced that it intends to designate the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in English waters. These HPMAs would be designated through the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 before 6 July 2023. Defra will continue to explore additional candidate sites this year, and any future sites will also be subject to consultation.

Water Supply: Finance

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce a new single water affordability scheme for England and Wales as recommended by Consumer Council for Water’s independent review of water affordability.

Rebecca Pow: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 February 2023 to the hon. Member for Blaydon, PQ 135453.Water is a devolved matter and therefore it is for the Senedd to decide how best they can support Welsh water consumers, not Defra.

Home Office

Passports: Gender Recognition

Andrew Lewer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the policy is of HM Passport Office on allowing people without a gender recognition certificate to change the sex registered on their passport.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on asylum applications awaiting a decision by nationality can be found in table Asy_D03 of the ‘asylum and resettlement detailed datasets’. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks. Please note the data show a snapshot as at the last day of each quarter, rather than the number of asylum applications awaiting a decision over the entire quarter. The latest data relates to as at 31 December 2022. Data as at 31 March 2023 will be published on 25 May 2023. Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.This data is not available broken down by outcomes received by family members.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.

Passports: Gender Recognition

Nick Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what policy HM Passport Office has on allowing someone without a Gender Recognition Certificate to change the sex registered on their passport.

Robert Jenrick: HM Passport Office's gender recognition policy includes guidance for customers regarding the evidence required when someone is changing their passport sex marker without a gender recognition certificate. The policy can be found at Gender recognition policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Passports: Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 2 March 2023, Official Report, column 950, whether all domestic and sexual violence offenders are considered to pose a high risk of harm; and whether she is taking steps to ensure that convicted perpetrators of domestic and sexual abuse cannot obtain a passport in a new name without the police being consulted.

Miss Sarah Dines: The Government is determined to ensure the police and other agencies have the tools they need to manage the risk posed by domestic abusers and sex offenders; we are introducing new measures to strengthen protections for victims of these crimes.Registered sex offenders must notify certain personal details (including their name and intended foreign travel) to the police annually and whenever those details change. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. Additionally, through Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders a court can place conditions on offenders that pose a risk of sexual harm.On 20 February, the Home Secretary announced our intention to make offenders sentenced to 12 months or longer for controlling or coercive behaviour eligible for management under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. Offenders eligible for MAPPA management are risk assessed and a risk management plan is put in place.Through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, we have introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs). DAPOs will be able to impose any requirements the court considers necessary to protect an individual from domestic abuse. Those subject to an order will be required to notify their name and address to the police. DAPOs will be piloted for two years from Spring 2024.The police may place ‘flags’ with HM Passport Office on offenders deemed to pose a risk to the public, so that if they attempt to change their passport details, the police will be consulted. Following an internal review into offender name changes, some immediate actions are being taken forward, including ensuring that law enforcement agencies are fully utilising existing monitoring tools and information sources, including those provided by HMPO.

Freezing of Assets

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of arrests for criminal evasion of financial sanctions from February 2022 to date.

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of criminal charges for evasion of financial sanctions from February 2022 to date.

Tom Tugendhat: Due to operational security matters, the National Crime Agency (NCA) cannot provide this information.The Combatting Kleptocracy Cell (CKC) was established in the NCA following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The CKC builds on the NCA’s existing expertise and uses all available capabilities to crack down on sanctions evasion and high-end money laundering. The CKC forms an integral part of the wider government response to Russia-linked illicit finance.

Freezing of Assets

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Account Freezing Orders have been made on accounts (a) intended for use in criminal sanctions evasion and (b) believed to contain the proceeds of sanctions evasion since February 2022.

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of Forfeiture Orders granted as a result of Account Freezing Orders made on accounts (a) intended for use in criminal sanctions evasion or (b) which contain the proceeds of sanctions evasion from February 2022 to date.

Tom Tugendhat: Due to reasons of operational security, the National Crime Agency (NCA) cannot provide this information.This Government has recovered more criminal assets than ever before. Between 2016/17 and 2021/22, just over £1.4bn was taken out of the hands of criminals using Proceeds of Crime Act powers.

Asylum: Temporary Accommodation

Anthony Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the criteria used by her Department to assess the cost of providing contingency accommodation for asylum seekers.

Robert Jenrick: The rise in the number of small boat crossings has placed significant pressures on local authorities and the asylum system.The Home Office is accommodating more than 37,000 asylum seekers in hotels at a cost of £5.6 million a day. The Home Office is working tirelessly, alongside other government departments, to reduce the Government’s dependency on hotels for contingency accommodation through a package of long-term and short-term measures.All local authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales became an asylum dispersal area by default in April 2022. This is increasing the number of suitable properties that can be procured for destitute asylum seekers across the UK, ensuring a fair spread across the country and reducing our reliance on hotels. We also intend to bring forward a range of alternative sites at reduced cost to hotels.

Vetting: Disclosure of Information

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to require an applicant’s sex at birth to be displayed on a DBS certificate.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to require all of an applicant’s previous names to be displayed on a DBS certificate.

Miss Sarah Dines: The purpose of a criminal record certificate issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is to assist employers and others to make safer recruitment decisions by providing details of an individual’s criminal history. A criminal record certificate will include the individual’s gender and any other names that they may have used in the past. The DBS also offers a sensitive applications route which takes into account both the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Equality Act 2010. This gives transgender applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate that could reveal their previous gender identity. Those applying via the sensitive applications route are required by law to provide all name details to the DBS, including any previous identity, in the same way as applicants using the mainstream route. The criminal record certificate issued by the DBS will contain exactly the same criminal record information as a certificate obtained via the main route, including any relevant convictions, cautions or other information dating from when the applicant had a different gender identity.s

Vetting: Disclosure of Information

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the Disclosure and Barring Service is notified when a registered sex offender changes their gender.

Miss Sarah Dines: All applicants for criminal record certificates issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) are required to sign a legal declaration confirming that they have disclosed both their current and previous identities. The DBS has systems in place, including working with HM Passport Office and the police, to verify identity and detect previous cautions and convictions an applicant may hold, including those obtained under a previous identity. Police forces supply all relevant nominal data to DBS to ensure that checks are as complete and robust as possible.

Asylum: Stockport

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2023 to Question 148822 on Asylum: Stockport, for what reason her Department does not record the data in a reportable format for adult and children asylum seekers that were accommodated and are missing.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office takes the wellbeing, welfare and security of children and minors in our care extremely seriously. Robust safeguarding procedures are in place to ensure all children and minors are safe and supported as we seek urgent placements with local authorities. All children receive a welfare interview on their arrival at accommodation, which includes questions designed to identify potential indicators of trafficking or safeguarding issues. If required, tailored safety plans are put in place.There are no hotels for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in Stockport.We have no power to detain unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in hotels and we know some do go missing. Adults are not detained and are free to come and go therefore the Home Office does not hold data for the total number of adult and child asylum seekers that were accommodated via the Home Office that are missing in a reportable format.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2023 to Question 150499 on Refugees: Afghanistan, whether interviews remain part of security checks for Afghan refugees arriving through safe and legal routes; and what assessment her Department has made of the importance of interviews in ensuring a consistent level of security checks.

Robert Jenrick: All individuals applying to resettle in the UK undergo security checks and may be required to undertake an interview when additional checks, such as the need to establish their identity, are required. This includes those applying under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. Further information on this is set out in the GOV.UK guidance.

Asylum: Correspondence

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2023 to Question 140250 on Asylum: Correspondence, how many notices of intent were sent in 2022; and what estimate her Department has made of the number of such notices that will be issued in 2023.

Robert Jenrick: The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of individuals issued a notice of intent and can be found online at How many people do we grant protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).The Government is committed to tackling the ruthless criminal gangs who facilitate illegal immigration, risk lives and damage communities by smuggling people into the UK. The Government will be bringing forward legislation to make it unambiguously clear that, if you enter the UK illegally, you should not be able to remain here. Instead, you will be detained and promptly returned either to your home country or to a safe country where your asylum claim will be considered.

Visas: Temporary Employment

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2023 to Question 149666 on Visas: Temporary Employment, if her Department will place that information in the House of Commons Library.

Robert Jenrick: As the data is regularly updated and published on GOV.UK, this is considered sufficient for anyone seeking the latest figures. In the circumstances, we will not be depositing them with the House of Commons library.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2023 to Question 143853 on Refugees: Afghanistan, what procedures are in place for unaccompanied children from Afghanistan to (a) make themselves known to and (b) seek support from the relevant authorities in the UK.

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what provisions are in place to provide emotional support for Afghan children who were separated from their families during the evacuation of Kabul and arrived in the UK (a) unaccompanied and (b) with other family members.

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to support Afghan children who were separated from their families during the evacuation of Kabul and arrived in the UK (a) unaccompanied and (b) with other family members.

Robert Jenrick: Following the evacuation of Kabul any children who we became aware of in the UK, that were not with their parents, have been dealt with on a case-by-case basis. When this has happened, we work in close collaboration with social services and the relevant local authority. The safety and welfare of those who are resettling or relocating in the UK is of paramount importance to us as such we have comprehensive and robust safeguarding processes in place for those under our care. The Government has been, and continues to, provide a warm welcome to Afghans arriving in the UK, providing accommodation, food, integration support, English lessons, and healthcare. All children who were evacuated under Op Pitting are now in school, and children who have joined us since then are either in school or being placed in schools. This means they are subject to the same statuary rights as any school child in the UK and the relevant support packages or services.

Birth Certificates: LGBT+ People

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2023 to Question 148649 on Birth Certificates: LGBT+ People, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people born before 2009 to retrospectively amend their birth certificates to include both parents who are of the same sex.

Robert Jenrick: There are no current plans to assess the potential merits of retrospectively amending birth certificates to include both parents who are of the same sex.

Visas: Charities

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of to Question 147200 on Visas: Charities, if she will outline her Department's application process for Immigration Health Surcharge partial refunds; whether it is her Department's policy that Immigration Health Surcharge balances automatically carry forward to any extension period.

Robert Jenrick: The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is refunded in full where an application is refused or rejected as invalid. A partial refund may be due where the applicant is granted a shorter period of immigration permission than requested.The IHS is charged and refunded in six-month blocks. For an applicant to receive a partial refund where granted a shorter period of immigration permission than requested, the period granted must result in the applicant falling into an earlier charging block. For example, an applicant who applied for a two-year visa and was granted one year would receive a partial refund for the two six-month blocks.Where an applicant is due a full or partial refund of the IHS, the refund is automatically processed by the casework team as part of the application process and refunded to the bank account from which it was initially paid. If an applicant believes they are entitled to a refund and have not received a refund within six weeks, they should contact UKVI.The IHS paid as part of an application is specific to that visa and is not transferred to a new application. Applicants must pay the IHS covering the full period they are applying for at the point of application.

Youth Mobility Scheme

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to bring forward changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme criteria for Australian nationals to widen the ages eligible to apply.

Robert Jenrick: The UK and Australia signed a side letter on mobility in December 2021 alongside the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, setting out commitments on their respective Youth Mobility Scheme and Working Holiday Maker programmes.The UK and Australia will make changes to these schemes so that they are available to people aged 18 to 35 years for a total stay of up to 3 years. Australia will also remove the requirement for UK nationals on their programme to undertake specific types of work.Both sides agreed to implement these changes within two years of entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement and will jointly decide on a date for these commitments to come into effect.

Animal Experiments: Licensing

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many project licences were granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that involved the use of the Forced Swim Test in each year since 2018.

Tom Tugendhat: The number of project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that authorised the use of the Forced Swim Test in each year since 2018 are as follows:YearNumber of project licences granted 20188201913202042021120224

National Security: Journalism and Legal Profession

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Defending Democracy Taskforce plans to make an assessment of trends in the level of state threats towards (a) journalists and (b) the legal profession.

Tom Tugendhat: It is our long standing policy that we do not comment on operational intelligence or security matters. We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously. The Home Office works closely with other government departments as well as relevant agencies and law enforcement to protect people identified as being at risk. Any threats made by a foreign state against individuals in the UK, including journalists and members of the legal profession, will be thoroughly investigated.For instance, as set out in my statement to the House on 20 February, we are taking steps to address the concerning activities of the Iranian regime and its operatives in the UK, including threats towards UK-based journalists working for Iran International. We will offer Iran International every support that we can in establishing and securing their new premises, and until such a time as that location is ready I have asked officials to support Iran International in finding a new, temporary secure location for its operations in the UK.Attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas, undermining democracy and the rule of law, are unacceptable. As demonstrated by the upcoming National Security Bill which will strengthen our legal powers to counter foreign interference, and the establishment of the Defending Democracy Taskforce to drive forward work to protect UK democratic processes, this Government is committed to tackling this challenge.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of reports that the Rwandan Government is funding the March 23 Movement.

Robert Jenrick: As set out in the relevant country policy and information notes (CPINs), our own comprehensive assessment of Rwanda and their asylum process has found it is a fundamentally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers. Our CPINs are kept under constant review and updated periodically to reflect any significant new issues or evidence and are available on the Gov.uk website.We regularly monitor and review the situation in Rwanda, working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Fire and Rescue Services: Finance

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of reductions in funding for fire and rescue services.

Chris Philp: Standalone fire and rescue authorities will see an increase in core spending power of 8.1 per cent in cash terms compared to 2022/23In 2023-24 no referendum principles were set for Combined Authority Mayors, so the referendum limit for council tax does not apply to Greater Manchester Fire. This means that the Mayor can take a decision to increase council tax above the core referendum principle of £5 without triggering a local referendum.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

High Rise Flats: Leeds

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his oral contribution of 30 January 2023, Official Report, column 54, on Cartier House, the Gateway and the Drive, Saxton Gardens, what progress he has made investigating the position of those buildings.

Lee Rowley: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Heating

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the competency framework for heating and plumbing so that installers and service engineers are trained and qualified to advise consumers on the efficiency of their heating systems whenever a boiler is changed or serviced.

Lee Rowley: The operators of competent person schemes must meet conditions of authorisation set by the government. As such, all installers registered to competent person schemes need to ensure all the work they carry out in a property complies with the Building Regulations.

Social Rented Housing: Data Protection

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State's contribution to the Report Stage of the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill on 1 March 2023, Official Report column 849, whether the access to information scheme will permit tenants and their representatives to obtain (a) information relating to an individual tenant's property and (b) general information about policies and properties of registered social housing providers’.

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State's contribution to the Report Stage of the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill on 1 March 2023, Official Report column 849, if he will consult publicly on the access to information scheme.

Felicity Buchan: Under the Access to Information Scheme, tenants of private registered providers and their representatives will be able to obtain information relating to their specific home, as well as wider information on their provider’s management of their social housing.The Access to Information Scheme will be subject to public consultation.

Community Assets

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2022 to Question 141284 on Community Assets, when he plans to consult on options to enhance the existing Assets of Community Value Scheme.

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2022 to Question 114817 on Land: Regeneration, if he will publish the results of his Department's review into existing community asset frameworks which allow communities to protect local spaces.

Felicity Buchan: Local communities should determine which spaces and places are most important to them.The Government's £150 million Community Ownership Fund helps communities to acquire local assets which are important to them, this can include existing Assets of Community Value.Details of announcements will be set out in the usual way.

Homelessness

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's statistics entitled Statutory homelessness in England: July to September 2022, published on 28 February 2023, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of increases in the number of households living in bed and breakfast accommodation with dependent children.

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's policies on reducing the number of children in temporary accommodation since 2010.

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's statistics entitled Statutory homelessness in England: July to September 2022 published 28 February 2023, what steps his Department are taking to reduce the number of households with dependent children who have lived in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than 6 weeks.

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households with dependent children in temporary accommodation in 2023.

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2022, published on 28 February 2023, what analysis his Department has made of the reasons for the increase in rough sleeping numbers.

Felicity Buchan: Further to the answers given in response to questions UIN 155208 and UIN 75824 on 8 March 2023 and 7 November 2022, the Government has been clear that the long-term use of B&B accommodation for families with children is inappropriate and unlawful and we are determined to stop this practice. We will continue to work with local authorities to limit the use of bed and breakfast accommodation.The latest statutory homelessness statistics for April to June 2022 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-july-to-september-2022. This includes data on the number of households in temporary accommodation in England, including the number of children. The latest rough sleeping snapshot can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2022/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2022.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, what advice his Department provides on financial contributions by Ukrainian guests towards household bills.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the correspondence by his Department entitled Email to hosts: information on the Homes for Ukraine programme, published on 1 March 2023, what a reasonable contribution would be towards household bills.

Felicity Buchan: As set out in published guidance, Ukrainian guests have full access to benefits and the right to work from their first day in the UK. Sponsors can ask guests to make a reasonable contribution towards food and other household expenses during their stay but this will depend on individual circumstances. The Government does not offer advice on the individual circumstances of sponsors and their guests.

Sleeping Rough

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reintroducing an Everyone In scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Felicity Buchan: Further to the answer to Question UIN 13174 given on 31 January 2023, since the pandemic the Government has allocated up to £500 million to local authorities through the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2022-25 to support people into longer-term accommodation and help them sustain a life away from the streets.

Homelessness: Finance

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for Local Authorities to tackle homelessness services in the context of rising inflation.

Felicity Buchan: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the following announcement.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to extend support for the Homes for Ukraine scheme after six months.

Felicity Buchan: This has already been announced. I refer the Hon. Member to the written statement (HCWS447) made by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 14 December 2022.

Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations

Paul Bristow: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2022 to Question 79324 on Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations, what recent steps he has taken to extend the right to buy to housing association tenants.

Rachel Maclean: The Government remains committed to the Right to Buy, which since 1980 has enabled over two million social housing tenants to become homeowners.

Levelling Up Fund

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2023 to Question 148763 on Levelling Up Fund, how the remaining money was (a) spent and (b) otherwise allocated.

Dehenna Davison: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 148762. On 23 February 2023. As confirmed in that response, £3.8 billion of the total £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund has been allocated over rounds 1 and round 2 of the Fund.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 19th January, there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund, providing more opportunity to level up places across the UK. We will provide more information on this in due course.

Rents: Arrears

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of rent debt.

Rachel Maclean: We understand the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and that paying rent is likely to be a tenant's biggest monthly expense. Individuals who need help towards their rental payments may be eligible for a range of support through the welfare system.The English Housing Survey 2021-22 found that 3% of private renters were in arrears and 4% of social renters were in arrears at the time of interview (Apr 21 - Mar 22). These levels are similar to those the year before, which were 4% for both tenures (Apr 20 - Mar 21).More recently available data, from the ONS' Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, found that only 5% of all renters reported being in arrears between June and September 2022.

Local Housing Allowance: Rents

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an estimate of the number and proportion of local authorities in which the LHA meets the 30th percentile of local rents; if he will take steps to (a) increase the LHA rates so they meet the 30th percentile of local rents in all areas and (b) provide funding for social landlords to buy the homes of mortgaged homeowners who are unable to pay their mortgages; and if he will make a statement.

Rachel Maclean: The Local Housing Allowance's rates are set for each Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA). These areas can encompass more than one local authority, and local authorities can also be split between two BRMAs. As a result, we cannot provide this information at the local authority level.

Construction and Demolition: Carbon Emissions

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department plans to regulate the construction and demolition of buildings in order to reduce CO2 emissions and meet net-zero targets.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of including requirements to (a) assess, (b) report and (c) reduce embodied carbon in the building regulations.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make it his policy to introduce a requirement for whole life-cycle carbon assessments to be submitted as part of (a) pre-application enquiries, (b) full planning submissions and (c) practical completion within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will establish a freely accessible database for anonymised Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessment data of new buildings.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make it his policy to set out a timetable for the introduction of strict limit values on embodied carbon emissions for all building developments.

Lee Rowley: Considering embodied carbon of buildings is an important aspect of net zero. Progress is being made on tackling the operational carbon emissions, which will continue with the Future Homes and Buildings Standards. We have committed to consulting this year on our approach to the issue of embodied carbon.

Public Lavatories: Men

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if the Government will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a statutory obligation to provide sanitary bins in (a) existing and (b) newly built men's public toilets.

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will he make it his policy to require the introduction of male hygiene bins in public toilets.

Lee Rowley: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 83564 on 17 November 2022.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Technology: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the source of the £250 million funding for artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and engineering biology missions is.

George Freeman: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Business and Trade

Central Africa: Arms Trade

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies on the supply of arms to countries in Central Africa of reports on the activities of the March 23 Movement.

Nigel Huddleston: Department for Business and Trade indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Minerals

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to increase the supply of critical minerals.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: In July 2022, the Government published its first ever Critical Minerals Strategy, setting out its plans for improving the resilience of critical mineral supply chains. The strategy outlines how the Government will accelerate the UK’s domestic capabilities, collaborate with international partners and enhance international markets. The Government is shortly planning to publish a refreshed approach to the Critical Minerals Strategy to reinforce the 2022 Strategy, highlight delivery progress to date, and set out upcoming delivery milestones.

Flexible Working

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help promote flexible working.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Department for Business and Trade works with a number of other Departments to promote flexible working. Several of them are members of the Department for Business and Trade / Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development co-chaired Flexible Working Taskforce, alongside business and family representative groups. In December 2022 the Government announced plans[1] to make the right to request flexible working a day one right, alongside other changes to make flexible working more accessible to all employees. The Government is pleased to support the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Private Members’ Bill[2] which will deliver several of these changes. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/making-flexible-working-the-default[2] https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3198

Trade Agreements: South Korea

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she plans to hold discussions with South Korea on an updated Free Trade Agreement; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Huddleston: The department regularly engages with South Korean counterparts to discuss our ongoing trading relationship. A public consultation on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement closed on 2 February 2023. Officials are reviewing responses to inform the negotiating objectives and timelines, which we will agree with Korean counterparts in due course. I will endeavour to update the House as more information becomes available.

Department for Business and Trade: Written Questions

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to answer Questions 148625 and 148626 tabled on 20 February 2023 by the hon. Member for Feltham and Heston.

Nigel Huddleston: I refer the Hon. Member for Feltham and Heston to the answers I gave her on 6 March, UIN: 148626 and on 7 March, UIN: 148625.

Re-employment

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the draft Code of Practice on dismissal and re-engagement, published on 24 January 2023, what the last resort scenarios are in which dismissal and re-engagement tactics could be used.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government is currently consulting on a draft Code of Practice to address dismissal and re-engagement. Once in force, the Code will deter employers from using controversial tactics and failing to engage in meaningful consultations with employees and their representatives. The Code is designed to cover a wide range of different circumstances, it will be for Employment Tribunals to decide where an employer has unreasonably failed to comply with the Code.

Re-employment

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the draft Code of Practice on dismissal and re-engagement, published on 24 January 2023, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of financial penalties on the use of dismissal and re-engagement policies by employers.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government is currently consulting on a draft Code of Practice to address dismissal and re-engagement. Once in force, an Employment Tribunal will be able to increase an employee’s compensation in certain circumstances by up to 25% if an employer has unreasonably failed to comply with the Code. The uplift should deter employers from using controversial tactics and failing to engage in meaningful consultations with employees and their representatives.

Small Businesses: Exports

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what funding or loans are available for medium sized businesses needing to make significant investment in a new manufacturing line to meet export demand.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government has invested in the creation of 38 Growth Hubs across England, providing small manufacturing businesses with free one-to-one support and advice. The Recovery Loan Scheme helps smaller businesses access loans and other kinds of finance up to £2 million per business group, including growth, investment or working capital.The Government has made a £1.6bn commitment through the British Business Bank in regions across the UK. In addition, the Government also committed over £150 million for Made Smarter, the UK national industrial digitalisation programme to help UK manufacturers to capitalise on new digital technologies, reduce carbon emissions and drive-up productivity.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans

Simon Jupp: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what is the monetary value of Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans that have yet to be repaid, broken down by industry sector.

Simon Jupp: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much funding was provided to businesses through Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans in (a) 2020-21 and (b) 2021-22, broken down by industry sector.

Kevin Hollinrake: As of 31 December 2022, the outstanding balance for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans that have yet to be repaid was £13.29 billion. A sector breakdown of this information is not available. 25.13% of facilities have been fully repaid, at a value of £7.15 billion. The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme delivered 109,877 loans worth £26.39 billion and closed on 31 March 2021. A breakdown of facilities by sector for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, to 2 July 2021, can be found on the British Business Bank website: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/press-release/analysis-of-final-coronavirus-loan-scheme-data-shows-79-3bn-of-loans-to-1-67m-businesses-evenly-distributed-across-whole-of-the-uk/

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Warm Home Discount Scheme: Energy Performance Certificates

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many social housing tenants in (a) Liverpool Walton and (b) the UK have not received the warm homes discount due to a energy performance certificate not being in place.

Amanda Solloway: A property does not need an energy performance certificate to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount. The eligibility for the scheme is detailed on the following page: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.

Housing: Heat Pumps

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the average (a) cost and (b) efficiency savings of replacing a central heating pump that was installed before 2013.

Graham Stuart: Central heating pumps are available at a variety of different price points with the total cost facing the consumer including both product and labour costs. There are now more efficient products available as minimum energy efficiency standards introduced in 2013 have helped to remove the worst performing pumps from the market. Updated minimum energy efficiency standards took effect from 2015.

Housing: Heating

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the impact of the absence of a statutory requirement for an annual service on the efficiency of domestic heating systems in non-rented properties.

Graham Stuart: Annual servicing of heating systems is recommended to ensure safety, more efficient heating and higher consumer comfort. Heating system warranties are often tied to an annual service and may be invalid if an annual service has not taken place. The Government is seeking views on how regular heating system servicing can be encouraged or whether it should be mandatory through the consultation on Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency, which closes on 21 March.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Biofuels

Anthony Mangnall: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number of homeowners who have been issued Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers for biomass-related heating technology who will not be able to complete work as a result of amendments to Ofgem's approved product eligibility list.

Graham Stuart: Ofgem have made us aware that there are 4 live applications affected by changes to the product eligibility list. The Government is working closely with Ofgem to ensure a fair and proportionate decision is made regarding these cases.

Alternative Fuel Payments: Boats and Park Homes

Andrew Lewer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Government guidance entitled Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically, what the planned (a) timescale and (b) scope is for the review into Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding for (i) people occupying non-permanent park home sites or (ii) on a boat as a continuous cruiser.

Amanda Solloway: To protect public funds against potentially fraudulent activity, the Government require applicants to show proof of address. The Government understands some travellers not on permanent sites or on boats not on registered moorings may not be able to provide proof of main or sole residence. The Government is working to find an acceptable method for these households to provide this proof so they can claim their support.

Energy: Meters

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on the adequacy of its scope of its Market Compliance Review into prepayment meters.

Amanda Solloway: Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for the enforcement of licence conditions on suppliers in the energy market. On 21 February Ofgem outlined the scope of its in-depth Market Compliance Review into the issue of how prepayment meters are handled across the market, to include targeted engagement accounting for experiences of real consumers. This review could lead to compliance action and redress where appropriate. As part of this Ofgem are also seeking views on further measures that could reduce the need for prepayment meters to be installed or improve the prepayment meter experience for customers.

Energy: Meters

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure energy suppliers review customers already on prepayment meters so that this remains a safe payment method for people in vulnerable circumstances.

Amanda Solloway: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to domestic energy suppliers asking them to report back to him on what steps they plan to take to identify consumers who may have had a prepayment meter installed inappropriately, and confirm that where such customers are identified, appropriate action will be taken. Following this, energy suppliers have agreed to pause the forced installation of prepayment meters until 31 March. Ofgem has called for suppliers to use this period to proactively check if any prepayment meters have been installed incorrectly and, where rules have been broken, to act now to offer customers appropriate redress.

Energy: Meters

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure processes around remote smart meter switches receive the same scrutiny as warrant installations.

Amanda Solloway: Energy suppliers must follow strict rules when changing a customer from a credit to prepayment meter, whether a through a meter installation, or remotely if they have a smart meter. The regulator, Ofgem, is reviewing energy supplier compliance with these requirements and has made it clear they will take strong action where suppliers have failed to follow them.[1] Ofgem has recently launched a call for evidence to consider rules and protections for domestic pre-payment energy consumers.[2]Both traditional prepayment meters and smart meters in pre-payment mode are in scope of this work. [1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/energy-regulator-outlines-next-steps-forced-prepayment-meter-ppm-installations[2] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/prepayment-rules-and-protections-call-evidence#:~:text=We%20are%20now%20calling%20for,or%20switching%20customers%20to%20PPM.

Energy: Meters

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps is he taking to ensure suppliers fully commit to pausing forced installations of prepayment meters via a warrant until Ofgem’s review of consumer protections is complete.

Amanda Solloway: Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for the enforcement of licence conditions on suppliers in the energy market. Following intervention from the Government, all suppliers have agreed to cease the forced installation of prepayment meters and the remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode until 31 March 2023. During this period Ofgem is undertaking an intensive consultation process to look at what further protections may be needed around PPMs and seek views on other measures that could reduce the need for PPMs to be installed or switched to remotely.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people in receipt of means-tested benefits became ineligible for the Warm Homes Discount between November 2022 and March 2023 due to not fulfilling the high-energy cost criteria.

Amanda Solloway: The Government has expanded the Warm Home Discount scheme this year to support more low-income and vulnerable households. The Government published impact assessments when consulting and publishing the Government’s response, which compared the option for reforming the scheme to continuing the previous scheme. As households previously applied through their suppliers, who set their own application processes and eligibility criteria and selected successful applicants each year, the Government has not been able to assess how many households previously eligible are no longer eligible.

Energy: Swimming Pools

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to take steps to provide additional financial support to community swimming pools to help with the cost of energy.

Amanda Solloway: The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) provides a discount on the wholesale element of gas and electricity bills to ensures eligible businesses, including sport or leisure facilities, which receive their energy from licensed suppliers, are protected from high energy costs. The Treasury-led review of the EBRS took account of many contributions from the private sector, trade associations, the voluntary sector and other organisations. It recognised that leisure facilities may continue to experience high energy bills, which is why we will continue to provide support to non-domestic customers through the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, which will run from April until March 2024.

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: Supported Housing

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme on the future energy prices paid by residents living in care and support accommodation.

Amanda Solloway: The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April 2023 until March 2024 and will continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers, including care and support accommodation. This follows a review of the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme which engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from the private sector, trade associations, the voluntary sector and other types of organisations. The Government will continue to provide funding for care home energy bills and up to £2.8 billion this year and £4.7 billion next year will be made available to support adult social care and discharge. This is equivalent to 200,000 additional care packages and the biggest funding increase in history.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what methodology his Department uses to determine eligibility for Warm Home Discount payments.

Amanda Solloway: Under Core Group 1 in England and Wales, and Core Group in Scotland, recipients of the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit are eligible.Under Core Group 2 in England and Wales, people who are both in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit or Tax Credit and living in a property with estimated high relative heating costs, calculated on the basis of property characteristics.Under the Broader Group in Scotland, customers must apply through their energy supplier, who may set additional eligibility criteria on top of the minimum eligibility criteria set by the Government.Further information can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of adjusting the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount scheme to include people with ill health whose homes are ineligible due to (a) a low energy performance certificate rating or (b) being ineligible for a home insulation grant.

Amanda Solloway: Under the Warm Home Discount, eligibility is not linked to the energy performance rating nor the eligibility for insulation grants. The scheme was designed to reach the maximum proportion of households in fuel poverty and for as many rebates as possible to be provided automatically. There is no central dataset of people whose ill health increases their likelihood of being in fuel poverty.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of altering the metrics of type, floor space and EPC of properties to increase accessibility to the Warm Homes Discount for households in colder northern areas of the UK.

Amanda Solloway: The options for eligibility criteria for Warm Home Discount were set out in full in the scheme consultation. Adjusting the eligibility of the Warm Home Discount to take into account temperature by location would add significantly to the complexity of the scheme.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the Warm Home Discount scheme to people who reside in properties that cannot be insulated.

Amanda Solloway: The Warm Home Discount is targeted at low income households some of whom live in homes that cannot be insulated.There is no reliable dataset of homes that cannot be insulated so we could not equitably expand the Warm Home Discount eligibility criteria to specifically include that.

Housing Associations: Energy Performance Certificates

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on helping to ensure that housing associations apply for energy performance certificates where they are required to allow tenants to benefit from the Warm Homes Discount; and whether his Department plans to take steps to resolve the situation if housing associations do not apply for those certificates in such circumstances.

Amanda Solloway: Energy performance certificates (EPC) are not required as a matter of course to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount. They are only required in circumstances where the household wants to challenge the data for the age and size of their property held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), or if there is no VOA record. The Government have communicated these details to the National Housing Federation and will consider what further actions to take ahead of next winter.

Energy Bills Discount Scheme: District Heating

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to make available further information on the Energy Bills Discount Scheme in relation to households on heat networks.

Amanda Solloway: The Government will provide an update on how households on heat networks will continue to benefit from support in the coming weeks.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when the evaluation of the reformed Warm Home Discount scheme will commence; and if he will include in that evaluation evidence from energy suppliers on the number of claimants who received payment in 2021-22 but were not able to meet the criteria under the new scheme in 2022-23.

Amanda Solloway: The evaluation of the reformed Warm Home Discount scheme is expected to commence in Summer 2023. The Government does not collect claimant data from previous years held by energy suppliers, and there are no current plans to compare previous and current recipients in the evaluation.

Pneumoconiosis: Compensation

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will publish its time frame on the longevity of the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme.

Graham Stuart: Nabarro Claims Solutions (NCS) administer the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme (CIPCS) on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Scheme remains open to those who meet the criteria, and the Department has no plans to make any changes to the CIPCS

Energy Charter Treaty: Climate Change

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) the UK and (b) the EU withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty on global efforts to tackle climate change.

Graham Stuart: The UK has been a strong advocate for ECT modernisation. At the Energy Charter Conference on 22 November, the decision to adopt the modernised Treaty was postponed. The UK has been closely monitoring the situation surrounding the Energy Charter Treaty’s modernisation process, including the positions taken by other Contracting Parties, and will continue to do so.

Wind Power: Isle of Wight

Bob Seely: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the impact of the British energy security strategy, published on 7 April 2022, on the offshore wind industry on the Isle of Wight.

Graham Stuart: As set out in the British Energy Security Strategy, the UK has an ambition to deploy up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, and the Government estimates that around 90,000 direct and indirect jobs could be supported by the offshore wind sector by 2030. These jobs offer opportunities throughout the UK, including to the Isle of Wight, where Vestas Wind Systems A/S is already a key employer.

Heat Pumps: Subsidies

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on subsidies for residential heat pump installation.

Graham Stuart: The Government has several schemes which provide support for residential heat pump installations. The £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers grants of £5,000 towards the purchase and installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and £6,000 towards Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). The £3.8 billion Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) supports the deployment of low carbon heating installations such as heat pumps alongside other energy efficiency measures in social housing. The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) provides support for installation of low-carbon heating measures such as heat pumps in off gas grid properties in England.

Cabinet Office

Government Departments: Contracts

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many contracts have been placed with SMEs through Contracts Finder in each year since its launch in 2011.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) businesses of any size and (b) SMEs have signed up to the Contracts Finder platform in each year since its launch in 2011.

Alex Burghart: Contracts Finder originally went live in 2011 as a Business Link service. It was replatformed as a GOV.UK service in 2015. Data from 2011 - 2014 has been archived and cannot be interrogated to answer these questions.Contracts Awarded to SMEs: Total awardsAwarded to SMEs% awarded to SMEs201512,4142982.40%201618,7471,8289.75%201724,2373,92216.18%201829,1879,29031.83%201933,21711,51034.65%202031,39811,98038.16%202148,29217,75236.76%202253,85120,89938.81% Registered businesses: All BusinessSME%201514,6042,76718.9%20161,06848445.3%201710,1944,72246.3%20188,6823,82744.1%20197,7043,31343%20209,5593,59937.7%20219,0842,68729.6%20227,8512,06726.3%The Procurement Bill, currently passing through Parliament, will create a simpler and more transparent procurement regime that will further open up public procurement to SMEs. The Bill includes a new duty on contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs.

Cabinet Office: Windsor Framework

Mr Marcus Fysh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the former Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office (a) advised on and (b) participated in the negotiations on the Windsor Framework.

Alex Burghart: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Small Businesses

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the Department’s Small Business Advisory Panel has met in each of the last five years.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the Department’s Small Business Advisory Panel has met in each of the last five years.

Alex Burghart: The SME Advisory Panel met 19 times between February 2018 and February 2023 for official Cabinet Office led SME Advisory Panel meetings. Panel members also contributed to the Baroness Neville-Rolfe led SME Roundtable on the Procurement Bill in October.The SME Advisory Panel was set up by the Cabinet Office in 2011 and works with the Government to support start-ups and small businesses via government procurement.

Public Sector: Food

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2023 to Question 151404, what discussions representatives from the Crown Commercial service have had with the Federation of Wholesale Distributors between September 2019 and September 2022; and whether he plans to hold a roundtable with food and drinks wholesalers on the Buying Better Foods agreement.

Alex Burghart: From September 2019 to date, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has engaged with numerous suppliers that sit on the Council of Members for the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, to make sure that supplier concerns are being factored into the development of the agreement on Food and Drink.CCS has met with representatives from the Federation of Wholesale Distributors as recently as January 2023, and will continue to do so in the run up to the tender going live in Summer 2023.

Government Departments: Procurement

Angela Rayner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has knowingly granted procurement contracts with any firms that have engaged in fire and rehire tactics.

Alex Burghart: The Government has been clear on its opposition to this practice being used as a negotiating tactic and is now making it clear how it expects employers to behave.Departments are responsible for their own commercial decisions, including the award and management of contracts.Details of Government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search.

Rapid Response Unit

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Cabinet Office Rapid Response Unit (a) collected and (b) stored personal data on the content of each of the interviews given by the hon Member for Christchurch on (a) 3 November 2020 with LBC, (b) 4 February 2021 with Newsnight, (c) 28 June 2021 with Times Radio, (d) 13 September 2021 with the BBC, (e) 1 December 2021 with The Daily Telegraph and (f) 6 December 2021 with Talk Radio.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment her Department has made of the findings in the recent report published by Big Brother Watch titled Ministry of Truth: The Secretive Government Units Spying On Your Speech.

Alex Burghart: I refer the Hon. member to the answers given to PQs 148800, 148801, 148802 on 28 February 2023.The Rapid Response Unit was used to understand the spread of information and potential disinformation, and help inform how the Government communicates effectively with the public.Online disinformation is a serious threat to the UK, which is why we brought together expertise from across government to monitor disinformation, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. These units used publicly available data, including material shared on social media platforms, to assess UK disinformation trends and narratives. They have since been disbanded and the learning and expertise is now being replicated across the wider Government Communications Service.

Anti-corruption Champion

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the vacancy for the position of Anti-Corruption Champion on (a) public trust in Westminster, (b) ministerial standards, (c) Government transparency and (d) the publication of a second Anti-Corruption Strategy.

Alex Burghart: My Rt Hon Friend, the Minister for Security and Member for Tonbridge and Malling, leads within Government on the work on the current Anti-Corruption Strategy and its update.My noble Friend, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, leads within the Cabinet Office on Transparency and Freedom of Information.On ministerial standards, the Prime Minister is the arbiter of the Ministerial Code, supported by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in relation to oversight of Government Propriety and Ethics.All Ministers, and indeed, Parliamentarians, are guided by the Seven Principles of Public Life, which help ensure and maintain public trust.An announcement on a new Anti-Corruption Champion will be made in due course.

Department for Education

Teachers: Pay

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on potential options for resolving the pay dispute with teachers.

Nick Gibb: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education continues to work with Cabinet colleagues to seek a fair and reasonable resolution to the pay dispute with teachers. She has made a serious offer to the leaders of the National Education Union (NEU) to pause the planned strikes so that we can discuss pay, conditions and reforms. The NEU refused to call off strike action last week, once again causing disruption to families and thousands of children who missed out on their education. This same offer has been accepted by health unions including Unite, the GMB, Unison, CSP and the Royal College of Nurses who have all paused their strikes and are engaging in intensive negotiations. Last year, the Chancellor committed an additional £2 billion for schools for next year and the year after. This additional money means schools will be funded at their highest levels in history. Each school has flexibility over how this money is used, such as staffing, classroom materials, or other running costs. Teacher pay is set by the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) and Government respects its independence. The Department published written evidence on Thursday 21 February to the STRB that will, alongside evidence from the treasury and other consultees including trade unions, inform their recommendations on teachers’ pay for 2023/24. The Government published its written evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) on 21 February 2023, giving views and input to help them form their recommendations for teachers’ pay. This evidence sets out how a 3.5% overall award, which includes raising starting salaries to £30,000, would be manageable within schools’ budgets, on average. The Department recognises that this year this judgment is particularly finely balanced, with the possibility that changing conditions, such as an improvement to energy prices, might allow schools to accommodate a higher award. The Secretary of State has been clear that her offer to the NEU still stands. It is in the best interests of children, parents, and teachers for the NEU to take up her offer and engage in talks on all areas of their dispute.

Members: Correspondence

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when his Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 20 February 2023 from the hon. Member for Liverpool Walton on free school meals.

Nick Gibb: A response to correspondence dated 20 February 2023 from the hon. Member for Liverpool Walton has been sent.

Schools: Mental Health Services

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps her Department has taken to provide funding for mental health services for children in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Claire Coutinho: While it is not for schools to provide clinical mental health services and teachers should not be expected to diagnose or treat mental health, schools are best placed to decide what pastoral support to put in place to support their pupils.To help schools to make informed decisions on what support to provide, the department is funding all schools and colleges in England to train senior mental health leads who can put in place effective whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing. This includes how to ensure they are including robust processes for identifying students or specific groups who need additional mental health support. Two thirds of schools and colleges will have been able to access funding by April 2023, backed by a £10 million investment for the 2022/23 financial year. The department is also providing over £1 billion Recovery Premium funding for schools for the 2021/22 and 2023/24 academic years which, on top of pupil premium, can be used to support pupil mental health and wellbeing, including providing counselling services.The department is working with the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England to increase the number of Mental Health Support Teams working in schools and colleges. These teams offer support to children and young people experiencing common mental health issues and facilitate smoother access to external specialist support. As of Spring 2022, there are 287 Mental Health Support Teams covering 26% of pupils in schools and learners in further education. More teams are on the way, with over 500 planned to be up and running by 2024.

Foster Care: Recruitment

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 19 January 2023 to Question 127698 on Foster Care: Recruitment, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of retention levels for foster carers; and if she will make an assessment of the impact of retention levels on the number of foster carers in the UK.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2023 to Question 127698 on Foster Care: Recruitment, whether her Department monitors overall numbers of active foster carers.

Claire Coutinho: The department is closely monitoring the numbers of foster carers and recognises the urgency of action in placement sufficiency. The department published Stable Homes, Built on Love on 2 February 2023, this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/childrens-social-care-stable-homes-built-on-love.The response to the independent care review can be found here: https://childrenssocialcare.independent-review.uk/.This sets out a £27 million plan to deliver a fostering recruitment and retention programme so foster care is available for more children who need it.Finances are often mentioned as a reason for foster carers deregistering. To alleviate this issue, we have increased the National Minimum Allowance by more than inflation to 12.43% this year.The data on capacity and occupancy of foster places is published annually by Ofsted, with the latest data available at: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F1115709%2FFostering_in_England_underlying_data_2022_-_FINAL__ODS_.ods&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK.

Pupil Exclusions

Nick Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) boys and (b) girls were permanently excluded from (i) state-funded secondary, (ii) state-funded primary and (iii) special or Pupil Referral Unit schools in England in each of the last five school workforce reporting years for which information is available.

Nick Gibb: ​​The information requested on state funded primary, state funded secondary and special schools is available from the National Statistics release on suspensions and permanent exclusions at this link:​https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england/2020-21.​Data can be accessed from the Explore data and files section, using the ‘Create your own tables’ function. A table containing figures for Pupil Referral Units is provided.PRU statistics (xlsx, 28.3KB)

Schools: Speed Limits

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of introducing 20mph speed limits outside schools.

Nick Gibb: The power to make speed limit orders setting enforceable local speed limits, including 20mph limits, rests with local traffic authorities. The 2016 update to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions enables traffic authorities to place advisory part-time 20mph speed limit signs in the vicinity of schools without the need for Government approval. There have therefore been no recent discussions between Cabinet colleagues on this issue.

Financial Services: Education

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Building Beyond Barriers – A roadmap for enhancing financial education in schools of the APPG on Financial Education for Young People, published on February 2023, if she will take steps to help ensure that all school-aged children receive financial education by 2030.

Nick Gibb: Financial education forms part of the National Curriculum for citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4 but can be taught by all schools at all Key Stages. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum. The subject covers the functions and uses of money, the importance of personal budgeting, money management, and managing financial risk. At secondary school, pupils are taught income and expenditure, credit and debt, insurance, savings and pensions, financial products and services, and how public money is raised and spent.The mathematics curriculum includes an emphasis on the essential arithmetic that primary pupils should be taught. A strong grasp of mathematics will underpin pupils’ ability to manage budgets and money, including, for example, using percentages. The secondary mathematics curriculum develops pupils’ understanding in relation to more complex personal finance issues, such as calculating loan repayments, interest rates and compound interest.The Department works closely with the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) and HM Treasury to consider the wide range of evidence for financial education and to explore the opportunities to improve availability of high quality financial education. MaPS has a statutory duty to develop and co-ordinate a national strategy to improve people’s financial capabilities and their ten year strategy, published in 2020, set out their national goal that two million more pupils and young people will receive a meaningful financial education by 2030. The strategy is supported by Delivery Plans for each nation of the UK and details can be found here:https://www.maps.org.uk/uk-strategy-for-financial-wellbeing/.There is a wide range of support available. MaPS published financial education guidance for primary and secondary schools in England to support head teachers and education decision makers to enhance the financial education currently delivered in their schools. This guidance is available at: https://maps.org.uk/2021/11/11/financial-education-guidance-for-primary-and-secondary-schools-in-england/.

Disability and Special Educational Needs: Discipline

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department issues guidance to schools on the use of discipline for children with special educational needs and disabilities; and if she will have discussions with (a) schools and (b) other stakeholders on the use of discipline in schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Nick Gibb: Schools need to manage behaviour well, so they can provide calm, safe, and supportive environments where all pupils and all staff can work in safety and are respected. No pupil should miss out on education because they feel unsafe, because their lesson is disrupted, or fall behind because their needs are not identified and supported.The Behaviour in Schools guidance 2022, focuses on how schools can proactively support all pupils to behave appropriately through explicit teaching of what good behaviour looks like and highlights the need for mutual respect and kindness between staff and pupils. The guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1101597/Behaviour_in_schools_guidance_sept_22.pdf.It acknowledges that positive relationships can be built in environments where there is predictability, fairness and trust, and in these environments, pupils with additional needs can be better supported to meet a school’s behaviour expectations.All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines effective strategies that will encourage good behaviour and the sanctions that will be imposed for misbehaviour. The Department trusts head teachers to develop behaviour policies which reflect their school’s individual needs.Any school behaviour policy must be lawful, proportionate and reasonable and comply with the school’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Account must be taken of a pupil’s age, any special educational needs or disabilities they may have, and any religious requirements affecting them.The updated draft Behaviour in Schools guidance went out for public consultation for eight weeks, closing on 31 March 2022. During this time, over 40 stakeholder events were held including meetings with schools and head teachers, unions, charities, and other stakeholders. The consultation received over 850 responses. The findings were analysed and are outlined in the Government’s consultation response which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1090090/Government_response_to_Behaviour_guidance_and_Exclusions_guidance_consultation_July_2022.pdf.

Free School Meals: Disability

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing disabled children who are eligible for free school meals and (a) are unable to attend school due to a long-term medical condition and (b) cannot eat those meals as a result of (i) dietary requirements and (ii) sensory processing difficulties with a (A) direct payment or (B) voucher scheme instead.

Nick Gibb: ​​The Education Act 1996 places a duty on maintained schools and academies to provide free school meals (FSM) to pupils of all ages that meet the criteria for eligibility and who are attending school during term time. The Act makes clear that a child must be registered at a publicly funded school as a condition of claiming FSM.​​Local Authorities are funded to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those who are unable to attend school on a long term basis. Parents are advised to liaise with Local Authorities to consider suitable alternatives in line with the guidance on long term illnesses, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/illness-child-education.​​The Department is always considering how it can best support children with SEND and their parents. The Department will keep its guidance on FSM under review to ensure that it is meeting user needs.

Education and Skills Funding Agency: Complaints

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many complaints her Department has received on the conduct of the Education and Skills Funding Agency since its formation.

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, the number of legal claims that have been submitted against the Education and Skills Funding Agency by private providers since its formation.

Nick Gibb: Complaints made about the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman are published in the ESFA’s Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK, and can be found through the following links:2017-18: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-skills-funding-agency-annual-report-and-accounts-2017-to-2018. 2018-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-skills-funding-agency-esfa-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-to-2019. 2019-20: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-skills-funding-agency-esfa-annual-report-and-accounts-2019-to-2020. 2020-21: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-skills-funding-agency-esfa-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021. 2021-22: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-skills-funding-agency-esfa-annual-report-and-accounts-2021-to-2022.  On the number of legal claims submitted against the ESFA by private providers, there is no central record of legal cases held by the department.

Hearing Impairment: Teachers

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of trends in the number of teachers for the deaf.

Claire Coutinho: On 29 March 2022, the department published the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision Green Paper, which set out our plans to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, including those with Sensory Impairment.The department carefully considered all the feedback received through the thousands of responses to the consultation and in the many events that took place during the 16-week consultation period. A full response was published on 2 March 2023, in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.

Schools: Food Supply

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the white paper entitled Levelling Up the United Kingdom, published on 2 February 2022, and the policy paper entitled Government food strategy, published on 13 June 2022, whether her Department has taken recent steps to require schools to report on their food provision.

Nick Gibb: In February 2022, the Levelling Up White Paper outlined several actions the Department is taking to strengthen adherence with the School Food Standards, including piloting work with the Foods Standards Agency, spending up to £200,000 in a pilot Governor Training Scheme and encouraging schools to publish a school food policy on their school websites.The Department will promote accountability and transparency of school food arrangements by encouraging schools to develop and publish a policy that sets out their whole school approach to food.

Schools: Electronic Cigarettes

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential effectiveness of new vape detectors in helping schools prevent vaping on school grounds.

Nick Gibb: Schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy that sets out what is expected of all pupils, including which items are banned from school premises.The Department trusts headteachers to develop tailored behaviour policies which reflect their school’s individual contexts and needs, and decide themselves the best methods to enforce these policies.

Children: Gambling

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 13 January 2023 to Question 113179, when she plans to place a copy of the Trustopia agreement in the Library; and for what reason the placement of the agreement in the Library has been delayed.

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 3 February 2023 to Question 133725 on Department for Education: Data Protection, if she will publish the recommendations from the audit by the Information Commissioner's Office; what steps her Department has taken to implement the recommendations; what steps must be taken to implement the remaining three per cent. of recommendations; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: ​The Department has now deposited a redacted copy of the agreement in the Library.​The Department has made significant progress in improving data protection processes and intends to publish an updated summary of recommendations and actions taken, in relation to these, in spring 2023.